*Organised labour reacts to Tinubu’s stance on subsidy regime, wants immediate reversal
*Says President’s action has grave implication for security, well-being of Nigerians
*That his announcement brought tears, sorrow to Nigerians instead of hope
*Regrets that moments after, fuel queues resurfaced nationwide with up to 300% price increase
By Michael Oche
Organised labour, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has said the decision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to announce the removal of subsidy on petrol was an insensitive decision.
The Labour centres in separate statements to journalists said that the announcement by President Tinubu on his inauguration day brought tears and sorrow to millions of Nigerians instead of hope.
NLC in a statement signed by its president, Comrade Joe Ajaero the Congress is “outraged by the pronouncement of President Bola Tinubu removing ‘fuel subsidy’ without due consultations with critical stake holders or without putting in place palliative measures to cushion the harsh effects of the ‘subsidy removal’.”
Ajaero noted that within hours of the President’s pronouncement, the nation went into a tailspin due to a combination of service shut downs and product price hike, in some places representing over 300 per cent price adjustment.
“It is no heroism to commit against the people this level of cruelty at any time, let alone on an inauguration day. If he is expecting a medal for taking this decision, he would certainly be disappointed to receive curses for the people of Nigeria consider this decision not only a slight but a big betrayal”, the statement noted
The NLC said on its part, we are staunchly opposed to this decision and are demanding and immediate withdrawal of this policy.
It said further that, “The implications of this decision are grave for our security and well-being. We wonder if President Tinubu gave a thought to why his predecessors in office refused to implement this highly injurious policy decision.”
Congress also reminded President Tinubu of his opposition to removal of subsidy on petrol in 2012 under the President Goodluck Jonathan administration.
“In light of the foregoing, we advise Tinubu to respect his own postulations and economic theories instead of daring the people. It could be a costly gamble,” Ajaero stated.
On its part, the TUC in a statement jointly signed by its President, Comrade Festus Osifo and General Secretary, comrade Nuhu Toro, urged President Tinubu to tarry awhile to give room for robust dialogue and consultation and stakeholders engagement.
The TUC noted that there are a lot of issues to be considered and resolved before such decisions can be taken, noting that Nigerian Workers and indeed masses must not be made to suffer the inefficiency of successive governments.
The statement reads in part, “We are also worried that in his speech President Tinubu failed to delve into or reveal his plans on how to tackle and address the issue of poor and unchecked deterioration in industrial relations, particularly in the education, health and judiciary sectors, often resulting in prolonged strike and Industrial actions and their attendant adverse effects on society and the economy. A case in point is the current nationwide strike by JOHESU.
“The Labour Movement is open and ready to dialogue with the Tinubu administration on the fuel subsidy issue and we urge it in the interest of the country and its people not to dictate on such a matter or engage in manipulating the outcome of such consultations.”
It noted that the new administration cannot be seen to be speaking from both sides of its mouth, urging the President to be a president with a human face.
“Like always, we will stand by the people and their interests. Nigerian workers are hard working and have remained consistent with productive work regardless of harsh government policies, poor governance and mismanagement of resources that have placed us under difficult living conditions,” it stated.
