The prices of major foodstuffs and other essential goods have started rising in response to the hike in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known as petrol, following the announcement by President Bola Tinubu that the era of subsidy on the product is gone.
Tinubu had on Monday during his inaugural speech at the Eagle Square in Abuja said the era of subsidy payment on fuel had ended, adding that with the 2023 budget making no provision for it, further subsidy payment was no longer justifiable.
He added that his administration would instead channel funds into infrastructure and other areas to strengthen the economy.
The presidential pronouncement led to an instant resurgence of fuel queues across the country with Nigerians foraging for the premium product. Though Tinubu’s decision received the backing of the NNPCL and the House of Representatives, it has since been resisted by the NLC and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria.
According to the organised labour, the President cannot unilaterally take a decision on subsidy removal.
Currently, petrol sells for between N495 and N600 per litre across the nation from N185 to N220 until Monday.
A survey conducted in various states of the federation showed that apart from the increase in transport fares, the prices of foodstuffs, soup ingredients, daily provisions and other essential goods had started rising with expectations of further increment as manufacturers and retailers adjust to the new fuel regime.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress has written all its 43 affiliate unions to mobilise for a strike slated to begin on Wednesday to protest the increment in the pump price of the petrol following the removal of subsidy on the product.
Some of the affiliate bodies of the NLC are the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, Nigeria Union of Teachers, Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria, and the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives.
In a letter written to the affiliates, which was signed by the NLC General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, the congress said, “We bring you greetings from the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress. You will recall that arising from the National Executive Council meeting held on 2nd of June, 2023, it was decided that the congress will embark on a nationwide action and withdrawal of services against the fraudulent increase in the prices of fuel across the 36 states of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the FCT.
“Please be informed that the nationwide action will commence on Wednesday, 7th of June, 2023. To this effect, all national leaders are expected to mobilise their members for the action and ensure full compliance with the directives as services in both the public and private sectors are expected to be fully withdrawn by Wednesday, 7th of June, 2023. All presidents and general secretaries are expected to help ensure the implementation of the decisions of the National Executive Council.”
Similarly, the National Association of Nigerian Students will hold a NEC meeting on Tuesday on the soaring fuel price.
This was made known in a notice signed by the NANS Secretary General, Usman Kankia, who said the meeting would hold in Abuja.
“The meeting will focus on the removal of fuel subsidy and the hardship it will cause for students in the country among other matters of importance. Representatives of NANS across various institutions are expected to be there,” an executive member of the body told one of our correspondents on condition of anonymity.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Union of Journalists has written to mobilise its members for the nationwide strike called by the NLC. In a memo signed by the National Secretary, Shuaibu Usman, the union said it was following the directive of the labour union.
The NUJ said in a statement, “An emergency Central Working Committee meeting of the union was convened online today, Saturday, June 3, 2023, to discuss issues surrounding the decision by the Federal Government to remove fuel subsidy and the position taken by the Nigeria Labour Congress. After presentations by the National President, Chris Isiguzo; and the National Treasurer, Bamidele Atunbi, on the position taken by the NLC on the matter, members unanimously adopted the position of the NLC on the issue.
“The CWC reiterates the argument that although the removal of fuel subsidy will free allocations, which can be channelled to the provisions of infrastructure and creation of additional jobs, the sudden removal could, however, lead to social unrests and protests as people may perceive the government as being insensitive to their plight.
“The CWC also notes that already there is an astronomical increase in the prices of petroleum products and high inflation, which have drastically reduced the purchasing power of citizens. Accordingly, the CWC directs all state councils of the union to mobilise members to withdraw their services and commence protests nationwide from Wednesday, 7th of June, 2023 if the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited refuses to reverse the new price regime in the oil sector.”