Subsidy Removal: NLC, TUC to organise national strike

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) say they would resist any price above N65 per litre of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) popularly called petrol, saying they will soon issue directives on the date to organise national strikes, street demonstrations and mass protests against the new fuel price regime.

The unions made this known in a statement by Mr Owei Lakemfa, NLC Acting General Secretary, and Mr John Kolawole, TUC Secretary General and made available to newsmen.

They reiterated the opposition of the labour movement, the pro-people civil society organisations and patriotic professional organisations to the new fuel prices.

They directed Nigerians to resist what they described as the imposition of new fuel prices on the populace.

It stated: “We also have information that it intends to make a litre of PMS N150.00 and then ask the NNPC to reduce the price at its fuel stations by a few Naira.

“The NLC, TUC, the pro-people Civil Society Organisations and patriotic professional organisations reject these new fuel prices and direct Nigerians to resist their imposition.

“We direct our state councils and unions to take steps to resist any price above N65 per litre of PMS, and await a date for the commencement of general strikes and mass protests across the country.’’

The statement called on members of the National Assembly and the state governors to join the unions in opposing the new fuel prices.

It also urged the Armed Forces, the Police and other security personnel to be on the peoples’ side in rejecting the new hike in prices of petroleum products.

The unions gave assurance that the leadership of the NLC and TUC would jointly issue directives on the date to organise national strikes, street demonstrations and mass protests against the new fuel price regime. (NAN)