The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has called on the Federal government to revamp the Four ailing refineries across the country and even bring onboard new refineries, saying it would benefit the country and the economy.
They made the call in a statement signed by the President and Secretary, Comrade Ayuba Wabba and Emmanuel Ugboaja, respectively, while briefing Journalists in Kaduna on the suspension of their planned Nationwide protests, which was to hold on the 27th January 2022, against the government’s plan to increase the pump price of fuel.
President Muhammadu Buhari had within the week approved the suspension of the subsidy removal for 18 months.
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However, addressing a press conference in Kaduna, the Deputy National Secretary of NLC, Comrade Bello Ismail, said, “We will not go to sleep despite the reversal of the subsidy removal by the government. We will continue to be vigilant over the issue.
“Following the reversal and reapproach by government, the National Executive Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress had a virtual emergency meeting this morning to consider the government’s new position. After vigorous debates, the NEC decided to suspend the planned nationwide protest for 27h January 2022 and the national demonstration in Abuja was scheduled for 2nd February 2022.
“The leadership of the Congress has communicated this organ decision to our civil society allies who have stood stoically behind Nigerian workers in our quest for social and economic justice for workers and the oppressed people of our country.
“As we advance, we will continue to engage with the government on the very critical issues of ensuring local refining of petroleum, creation of sustainable jobs and provision of petrol at an affordable price for Nigerian workers and people.
“Fellow Nigerian workers and citizens, you would recall that on the 23 of November 2021, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning at the launch of the World Bank Development Update disclosed to Nigerians government’s plans to remove subsidy on the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) also commonly known as ‘petrol’ or fuel.
“The policy of removal of petrol subsidy, as we all know, has become a euphemism for the hike in the pump price of petrol. The attendant effect of the proposed removal of petrol subsidy would push the pump price of fuel to between N320 and N340 per litre.
“There is no gainsaying that this would have exacerbated the current scourge of inflation in the country, deepened poverty, heightened social tensions and pushed the country and millions of her poor citizens to the very precipice.
“Immediately, the Minister of Finance unveiled government’s plans on petrol price increment, the Nigeria Labour Congress issued a press statement on November 24, 2021, condemning the proposed government policy and warned of the dire consequences that would follow the implementation of the policy. Congress convene national organ meetings to deliberate on the issue.
“After a series of statutory organ meetings culminating in a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting which took place on the 17th of December 202 1, the Nigeria Labour Congress renewed its traditional position of resisting steady increases in the pump price of petrol.
“The NEC went ahead to give directives for mobilising workers and citizens for national protests if the Federal Government fails to reverse the planned hike in the pump price of petrol.
“At the peak of very rigorous mobilisation of Nigerians by the Nigeria Labour Congress and a host of her Civil Society allies, the government through the Minister of Finance yesterday, 24th January 2022, made a public announcement reversing the plans to increase petrol pump price. The government was also officially communicated to Congress with calls for further engagement.
“We commend the Nigerian workers and people, particularly civil society allies, for their unwavering solidarity and support during this struggle. We are stronger together!”.
