NLC warns against imminent increase in pump price of petrol

THE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has warned against imminent increase in pump price of premium motor spirit (PMS) otherwise called petrol.

Addressing journalists after Central Working Committee (CMC) meeting in Lagos on Sunday, the President of NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, warned that the union will resist any attempt by marketers or the Federal Government to review upward the pump price of petrol.

According to him, “we are now justified when we opposed the initial increase in the pump price of petrol. Purchasing power of Nigerians has reduced drastically following the initial increase in petrol price per litre.

“We said it will worsen purchasing power of the workers. This is now coupled with non-payment of salary, non payment of pension and gratuity.

“Our position still stand and every attempt to increase it will be resisted vehemently. We will mobilise our sister unions and affiliates.”

Following non availability of foreign exchange for importation of petrol, there are rumours that marketers may increase pump price of petrol anytime soon.

Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), otherwise called diesel has risen above N200 per litre because it is fully deregulated. Petrol has been partially deregulated because government still controls the price band at which the product must be sold.

Major marketers are selling it at N145 per litre while NNPC Retail and other marketers are selling between N138-N143 per litre.

Kerosene is also being sold at above N200 per litre because it is also fully deregulated.

However, non availability of foreign exchange may prevent marketers to import, thereby creating scarcity of the product which may later lead to increase in pump price of petrol.

Moreover, the labour union also urged the government, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to obey court order which directed that electricity tariff must reverse to old rate as against the present over 40 per cent increment in tariff that Nigerian workers are paying.

It said disregarding court order by government agencies is illegal and a sign of impunity.