Subsidy removal: NLC set for showdown with FG

It is most likely the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) would embark on nationwide protest against fuel subsidy removal this month, going by feelers from the congress’ president, Comrade Ayuba Wabba.

The NLC has therefore, begun mobilisation of various Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), whom it considered as ally in the struggle.

Labour in January 2012 held a similar protest with CSOs’ support against fuel price increase which was announced on the eve of the New Year by the Jonathan administration.

Comrade Wabba confirmed that the congress has begun talks with interest groups to ensure that majority of Nigerians take part in the proposed action.

He said: “Nobody has approached us on the decision to remove the subsidy as stakeholders, the removal contradicts President Muhammad Buhari’s promise to Nigerians as well. Such action would make the cost of services go up and any increase now will have multiplying effects which will be transferred to poor Nigerians.”

The NLC president noted that the removal and the 50k decrease in the price of petrol were all shrouded in secrecy to distract Nigerians, adding that Labour has always seen subsidy as fraud perpetrated by cartels.

He noted that deregulation of petrol, contrary to government’s explanation, would make the price go up, just as Nigerians now pay higher for diesel and kerosene in spite of being deregulated.

”What is the actual landing cost, by now, we should be paying less. In 2012, when we protested and forced the price down to N97, the price of crude in the international market was sold for over $100, and now at $38, somebody is telling us that it (petrol price) has been reduced by 50kobo, it’s all gimmick, he said.

The NLC boss said Labour wants to know the template used to arrive at the reduction, which he insisted, has an element of corruption in it.

“The deferential on dollar is what Nigerians are paying and that is why the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has continued to insist on the devaluation of our currency.

“I believe that the President in his media chat has explained how this would work, refined our products locally by 60 per cent and through barter of the crude, bridge the gap of the 40 per cent shortfall. By doing that, we don’t need to pay subsidy to anybody, neither would there be any need for any deregulation that would inflict so much pains on Nigerians whose purchasing power has continued to dwindle. We are opposed to a deregulation without nothing in place to cushion the effect on the mzasses,” he said.