The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and former Vice President Abubakar Atiku have expressed concern over the recent hike in petrol prices by the federal government, warning that it has pushed most Nigerians to a breaking point.
Speaking over the weekend, Atiku emphasized that the hike, along with plans to increase Value Added Tax (VAT), will worsen the already difficult living conditions of many Nigerians and further damage the economy.
Similarly, the NLC called for a reversal of the petrol price increase, urging Nigerians to resist what they described as an unjustified and harmful policy.
Human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), also weighed in on the issue, urging the Federal Government to complete the rehabilitation of the country’s refineries by September 2024.
He warned that if the rehabilitation is not completed by the deadline, legal action should be taken against the contractors for breach of contract.
Adding to the pressure on the government, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) called on President Bola Tinubu to instruct the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to reverse the petrol price hike across its retail outlets, describing the increase as “illegal and unconstitutional.”
At the 2024 annual workshop organized by the Labour Writers Association of Nigeria (LAWAN), themed “Challenges of Nigeria’s Economic Downturn: Survival Options for Workers,” NLC President Joel Ajaero, represented by the Deputy President and President-General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Prince Adewale Adeyanju, called on Nigerians to rally against the government’s policy.
He urged citizens to remain steadfast in resisting intimidation and standing up for their rights in the face of rising economic hardship.
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“As we engage the forces of retrogression, we want you to continue being on our side,” Adeyanju said. “It is your responsibility to let Nigerians know the truth as we navigate the barricades of intimidation and harassment in all forms.”
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