PIB: TUC rejects move to limit fuel imports to few operators

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) on Tuesday condemned the planned move to limit fuel imports to few operators in the oil and gas industry, as reflected in the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).

Congress described the move as monopolistic and a deliberate attempt to frustrate the challenges the Petroleum Industry Bill is intended to solve.

Rather, the TUC advised that the market should be left open if the government truly wants to be sincere in addressing the problem of the sector.

A statement signed by the TUC President, Comrade Quadri Olaleye and the Secretary General, Comrade Musa-Lawal Ozigi, said “we are surprised, dismayed and irritated by the conspiracy to waste another opportunity to fix the sector.”

It noted that the lawmakers are serving the interest of some few individuals to the detriment of over 97 per cent of the country’s population, going by their position and body language.

But the statement warned that Congress would not allow that to happen, adding that the country cannot afford to continue toying with the oil and gas sector as it remains the only major source of foreign exchange.

The labour leaders urge the lawmakers to rise up and provide true leadership instead of serving the interest of few capitalists, saying, “it is high time these principalities and powers removed their knees from the neck of Nigeria and Nigerians.”

According to the statement, “the Congress is not against the companies holding refining licences, we are only saying the sector should be left open so the destiny of the country will not be in the hands of a few individuals.”

The statement read: “The pertinent questions are; how well are the products and markets controlled by these same few people doing? Why are the lawmakers failing to see the large number of companies and employment that could be created when more investors are allowed to invest? Are these people (lawmakers) not disturbed by the unprecedented insecurity challenge in the country caused by unemployment? How long are these people going to continue to exploit the country?

“There is no sugarcoating the matter, the capitalist trajectory in Nigeria is morally, economically, and legally wrong as it tends to impoverish Nigeria and Nigerians. It hinders the country’s financial and economic progress because it transfers a huge chunk of public wealth to favour businessmen.

“This is not only treacherous but also a serious form of corruption. We urge them to use their money for the social benefits of all; after all, they enjoy forex largesse financed by Nigerians’ hard earned oil revenue.”

Congress, therefore, called on the government, especially the legislative arm to rescind their decision immediately as it would only worsen the problem it is meant to solve.

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