Fuel subsidy removal may trigger a massive protest in January if the federal government pushes through with the policy
By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has given notice of a nationwide protest against the planned removal of fuel subsidy.
The federal government had announced that fuel subsidy would be removed in March next year, a situation that would see the pump price of fuel selling for N340 from it’s current price of N165.
The NLC announced that it would commence warning strike on January 27, 2022 against the fuel subsidy removal, but if the government removes the fuel subsidy earlier before that date, then the protest would be immediately.
In a communiqué signed by the NLC President, Ayuba Wabba and General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, after a National Executive Council meeting held at the Labour House in Abuja on Friday, the Labour Union said the planned removal of fuel subsidy was extremely insensitive to the acute hardship being experienced by Nigerians.
The union asked the President Muhmammadu Buhari government to promote local capacity to refine petroleum products for domestic use.
“Pursuant to its rejection and resistance of further increase in the price of petrol, to organise protest rallies in all the 36 states of the federation on January 27, 2022 which would culminate in the submission of protest letters to all the 36 state governors,” the communiqué issued by NLC after its Friday’s National Executive Council meeting read.
The union in the communiqué disclosed that the January 27 state rallies would be followed by a national protest on February 1, 2022, in Abuja.
“…and in case the government decides to announce new petrol prices before the proposed protests, the protest will kick off instantly and without any other further notice in every state of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory,” it read further.