Petrol Subsidy: NLC to FG – Revert to Old Price or Face Indefinite Strike, Mass Protests Wednesday  

THE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Friday demanded that the federal government revert to the old price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol or fuel, so as to allow dialogue to proceed or face nationwide general strike and mass protests beginning from the early hours of Wednesday, June 7, 2023.

The NLC made the demand following an emergency meeting of its second highest organ, the National Executive Council (NEC), which held on Friday in Abuja.

In the communiqué of the meeting made available to the press after the meeting, and signed by Comrades Joe Ajaero and Emmanuel Ugboaja, NLC’s President and General Secretary, respectively; the NLC called “for the immediate withdrawal of the vexatious NNPCL price adjustments and revert to the old price in keeping with the 2023 Appropriation Act.”

The labour centre also directed all its affiliates and state councils to “immediately commence effective mobilization of all workers and citizens in conjunction with the civil society” for an effective nationwide resistance and protest so as to force a reversal of the new price template of petrol.

Amongst other resolutions include a seven-day ultimatum which the communiqué said commenced from Wednesday, May 31, 2023 to the federal government to effect the reversal of the new price template, and will expire on the midnight of June 6, 2023.

According to the NLC, on the expiration of the ultimatum without full compliance by the federal government, Nigerian workers will “embark on an indefinite nationwide withdrawal of services and mass protests starting 00:00 hours Wednesday the 7^th of June, 2023.”

The NLC noted that in its deliberations, the NEC considered the announcement of the withdrawal of subsidy was not only unlawful, but also unfair that the government knowingly took an action that will inflict pain on the populace without putting adequate safeguards in place.

“The NEC-in-Session considered the huge suffering pervading the nation, the outrage expressed by the majority and the increased attendant fears of the consequences of the PMS price hike unanimously condemned the actions of the federal government and reached the following conclusions:

“That it was unlawful for the federal government to have announced the withdrawal of the subsidy on PMS

“That the 2023 Appropriation Act made provisions for the funding of the subsidy regime on PMS till the ed of June, 2023

“That it is unfair for the government to knowingly take action that will inflict pains on the populace and workers without putting adequate safeguards in place

“That discussions were already on and understanding reached with government on the conditions precedent before the withdrawal of subsidy on PMS

“That the Local refineries especially the Publicly owned four have remained comatose as a result of government’s inability to get them operationally turned around.

“That we cannot accept any Petroleum Product Price increase until products are refined locally

“That the federal government’s decision was unilateral and therefore runs counter to the spirit of national consensus and Social Dialogue,” the communiqué reads.

Below is the full text of the communiqué:

COMMUNIQUE AT THE END OF AN EMERGENCY NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (NEC) MEETING OF THE NIGERIA LABOUR CONGRESS (NLC) HELD ON FRIDAY, THE 2ND OF JUNE 2023

On Monday, the 29^th day of May, 2023 the President of the Federal Republic announced during his inaugural speech the withdrawal of Subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in Nigeria. Consequently, the price of the product which is central to transportation and power in Nigeria escalated across the nation throwing the nation into turmoil and confusion as citizens were left stranded thus increasing suffering and angst amongst the populace.

To this end the National Executive Council (NEC) was called to deliberate on the issues arising from that unfortunate decision by the federal Government.

The NEC-in-Session considered the huge suffering pervading the nation, the outrage expressed by the majority and the increased attendant fears of the consequences of the PMS price hike unanimously condemned the actions of the federal government and reached the following conclusions:

1. That it was unlawful for the federal government to have announced the withdrawal of the subsidy on PMS
2. That the 2023 Appropriation Act made provisions for the funding of the subsidy regime on PMS till the ed of June, 2023
3. That it is unfair for the government to knowingly take action that will inflict pains on the populace and workers without putting adequate safeguards in place
4. That discussions were already on and understanding reached with government on the conditions precedent before the withdrawal of subsidy on PMS
5. That the Local refineries especially the Publicly owned four have remained comatose as a result of government’s inability to get them operationally turned around.
6. That we cannot accept any Petroleum Product Price increase until products are refined locally
7. That the federal government’s decision was unilateral and therefore runs counter to the spirit of national consensus and Social Dialogue.

NEC-in-Session also noted that whereas:

1. there is a subsisting judgment of the Court that voided the powers of the Nigerian state to deregulate and fix prices of petroleum products in the country.
2. Between 1993 and 2023 about U$6b was used for Turn Around Maintenance of the Refineries without any results.
3. U$7b was given to 14 banks owned by the elite from public treasury to keep them afloat.
4. Between 2016 and now, N26tr was given to the rich as import waivers
5. That NNPC is still unable to tell us how it arrived at the Picing templates and the names of the beneficiaries of the Subsidy funds.

The NEC-in-Session subsequently resolved as follows:

1. To demand for the immediate withdrawal of the vexatious NNPCL price adjustments and revert to the old price in keeping with the 2023 Appropriation Act
2. to immediately commence effective mobilization of all workers and citizens in conjunction with the Civil Society for a robust and inclusive engagement to resist the imposition of higher prices on PMS on Nigerians.
3. to hereby affirm a Seven – Day ultimatum beginning from Wednesday the 31^st day of May, 2023 to the federal Government to revert to the old price to allow dialogue to proceed
4. to on the expiration of the ultimatum without full compliance by the federal government embark on an indefinite nationwide withdrawal of services and mass protests starting 00:00 hours Wednesday the 7^th of June, 2023.
5. to this end, all Affiliates and state councils of the NLC are directed to immediately commence full mobilization of members to ensure the success of this action nationwide.

Comrade Joe Ajaero                                               Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja, mni
      President                                                                      General Secretary