NLC rejects new pricing template as govt removes fuel subsidy

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has rejected the new pricing template released by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited.

This comes in response to the government’s decision to remove fuel subsidy.

The NLC, in a statement by its national president, Comrade Joe Ajaero in Abuja, described the new price template as vexatious and an ambush to the ongoing meeting of stakeholders in the oil and gas sector, aimed at managing the unilateral removal of the subsidy on petroleum products by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday.

The organized labour expressed concern over this development and called for the immediate withdrawal of the pricing template to allow for the free flow of discussions among the parties involved.

READ ALSO: NNPC Limited confirms increase in fuel pump price nationwide

Ajaero stated that the release of the template is an attempt by the government, through the NNPC, to undermine the process of dialogue.

He further emphasized that the government cannot simultaneously advocate for deregulation and fixing the prices of petroleum products.

“We are concerned that the government, through the NNPC, despite the ongoing meeting of stakeholders in the oil and gas sector to address the unilateral but unfortunate announcement by the President to withdraw the subsidy on petroleum products, went ahead this morning to announce a new regime of prices under a new pricing template. This is an ambush and goes against the spirit and principles of social dialogue, which remains the best platform for resolving issues in the downstream petroleum sector. It contradicts the idea of allowing the free market to operate unless the government has, as usual, usurped or controlled market forces.”

“It is therefore unacceptable, and we strongly condemn it. Good faith negotiation is crucial to reaching an agreement. What the government has done is akin to holding a gun to the heads of the Nigerian people and exerting undue pressure on the leaders, thereby undermining the dialogue. Nigerians will not accept any manipulations of any kind from any of the parties, especially from government representatives. Our commitment to this process is based on the understanding that all parties will work towards ensuring that it is carried out with full liberty and without undue pressure,” he added.

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