By Cross Udo, Abuja
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has demanded immediate wage awards for workers and the sale of crude oil in naira to local refineries as part of measures to cushion the impact of rising petrol prices.
The labour centre also urged the Federal Government to expand national petroleum storage capacity to strengthen the country’s ability to respond to energy emergencies and improve energy security.
The demands were contained in a statement titled “Save the Situation Now,” issued by NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, amid a fresh surge in petrol prices across the country.
Ajaero said petrol was selling for about N1,430 per litre in major cities where the product remained available, with prices reportedly higher in less accessible locations.
The NLC warned that the rising cost of petrol was eroding workers’ incomes and worsening living conditions, as higher transportation costs continued to push up the prices of food, school fees, rents and other essential services.
“These new costs continue to inflict or deepen poverty among the populace, stressing the quality of life to the limits,” the NLC said.
The labour union said the latest increase was coming after government pressure on petroleum marketers to reduce pump prices in response to lower international crude prices had begun producing results.
It attributed the renewed pressure partly to the resurgence of conflict in the Gulf but argued that Nigeria, as an oil-producing country with local refining capacity, should be better positioned to cushion citizens from external shocks.
“As a nation and as a people endowed with enormous fossil resources, we are deserving of a certain level of protection or buffer against the gales from the Gulf,” the NLC said.
To create such a buffer, the union called on the government to immediately approve reasonable wage awards for workers, make adequate crude available to domestic refineries in naira and increase national petroleum storage capacity.
According to the NLC, the measures would not only cushion the impact of high energy costs but also create jobs, generate economic value and strengthen the country’s response to emerging security challenges.
The labour centre also defended targeted government intervention to protect citizens during periods of economic distress.
“There is nothing wrong with the government subsidising the needs of citizens, especially in emergency situations like this,” it said.
The NLC argued that oil-producing countries were taking measures to protect their citizens from the effects of the current international energy shocks and urged Nigeria to adopt appropriate interventions.
It further contended that the government was benefiting from higher international crude prices, alleging that current prices were between $35 and $40 per barrel above the budget benchmark.
The union said the additional revenue represented a substantial windfall that could be deployed to mitigate the impact of higher petrol prices on Nigerians.
On local refining, the NLC expressed concern that domestic refineries were still importing crude despite Nigeria’s status as a major oil-producing country.
“On a long-term basis, we are equally concerned that local refineries are importing crude. This is unreasonable and unacceptable, and defeats the logic and purpose of local capacity,” the statement said.
The NLC also questioned the government’s approach to deregulation, arguing that protecting citizens from severe economic hardship should remain a priority.
It warned that the government could not afford to ignore the hardship caused by rising petrol prices while preparing for the next general election.
“Labour has an obligation to speak out or act accordingly,” Ajaero said.
