Petrol Price Hike: ‘Be Ready For Social Unrest’ – TUC Warns FG, As NANS Declares Massive Shutdown Of The Economy
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has reacted to the recent increase in fuel price by the federal government.
The union warned President Bola Tinubu to be prepared for social unrest in Nigeria.
This was as TUC kicked against the increase in the pump price of petroleum, warning that it would worsen poverty among workers.
The union disclosed this in a statement signed by its president, Festus Osifo on Wednesday.
Recall that the pump price of petrol was increased to N897, N900, N1000 per liter on Tuesday from N617.
Reacting to the increase, TUC asked the Nigerian government to “immediately rescind these decisions, promote policies that will strengthen the naira, and take decisive steps to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians.”
It argued that the sudden hike “implemented without consultation with critical stakeholders,” represented a blatant disregard for the welfare of the Nigerian people, particularly the working class, who bear the brunt of such decisions.
“The sudden hike in fuel and electricity costs will only exacerbate these challenges, leading to further hardship and potential social unrest,”
TUC insisted.
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“We urge the government to immediately rescind these decisions, promote policies that will strengthen the naira and take decisive steps to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians.
“The government must act swiftly to restore confidence and prevent further deterioration in the living conditions of its citizens,”
the Union added.
Earlier, the Nigeria Labour Congress had also called for the immediate reversal of the petrol price hike.
Also on Wednesday, the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, issued a notification of a planned massive shutdown of all major cities in Nigeria, effective September 15, 2024.
The student body said the protest is in response to the recent fuel price hike and the perceived incompetence of the NNPC Director General, Mele Kyari.
The union equally demanded an immediate reversal of the fuel price hike and the removal of Kyari as the NNPC DG. The notice was signed by Okunomo Henry Adewumi, President of the Senate (NANS).
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According to the notice, the students plan to occupy all major cities in the country on September 15, 2024. The notice assured that the protest will be peaceful and lawful.
“We write to notify you of an impending massive shutdown of all major cities in Nigeria, effective 15th September 2024, in protest of the recent hike in fuel prices and the gross incompetence of the NPC Director General, Mele Kyari.
“The incessant increase in fuel prices has brought untold hardship to the masses, and we can no longer stand idly by while our future is mortgaged by the actions of a few. We demand an immediate reversal of the fuel price hike and the removal of Mr. Kyari as the NNPC DG.
“We call on all Nigerian students across the country to wake up to this clarion call, as we will be occupying all major cities on the 15th of September, 2024. We shall not be silenced, and we shall not be intimidated. We shall rise in unison to demand a better deal for Nigerian students and the masses.
“We urge you to take necessary measures to maintain law and order during the shutdown, as we assure you that our protest will be peaceful and lawful,”
the notice read.