TUC To FG: Fix Refineries Before Subsidy Removal

The Trade Union Congress has listed conditions that the Federal Government should fulfill before removing subsidy from Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise known as petrol.

The TUC urged the Federal Government to first fix existing refineries, establish new ones including modular refineries, and ensure effective policing of borders to stem the rate of petroleum products smuggling.

The congress said these conditions must be met before the final removal of subsidy from petroleum products.

In the case that the Federal Government fails to meet these conditions and goes ahead to remove subsidy, the TUC directed its State Councils and affiliates to commence mobilisation of members for industrial actions against the action.

The National Economic Council (NEC) chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo had recommended an increase in petrol to N302 per litre.

The recommendations were put forward by the NEC ad-hoc committee interfacing with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) on the appropriate pricing of petrol in Nigeria.

On Thursday, the NEC said it had differed the decision to remove the subsidy on petrol till June.

However, the Nigeria Labour Congress has fixed a nationwide protest against the planned subsidy removal for January 27 and Feb 1, 2022.

The NLC said it was going ahead with the planned protest despite the decision of NEC to put the decision on hold.

But in a communique issued at the end of its National Executive Council meeting, the TUC asked the federal government to take into consideration the attendant economic impact of final subsidy removal on the masses.

The communique, which was jointly signed by President of TUC, Quadri Olaleye and Secretary – General, Musa-Lawal M. Ozigi, partly reads: “The Proposal by National Economic Council on the final removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) as from June 2022 should take into consideration the attendant economic impact on the masses. There must be assurances that refineries are fully overhauled and establishment of modular refineries encouraged.

”NEC-in-Session insist that Federal Government MUST ensure that the conditions precedent put forward by the TUC on the deregulation of the downstream such as; the revitalization of existing refineries, establishment of new ones including modular refineries, effective policing of borders to stem the rate of petroleum products smuggling, e t c are implemented.

“Finally, NEC-in-Session has mandated the Congress led by the President to take all necessary steps to ensure that these conditions are met before SUBSIDY is removed. Consequently, NEC-in-Session directs State Councils and affiliates to commence mobilisation of members for industrial actions against SUBSIDY removal without Government fulfilling conditions precedent.”

The congress also asked the federal and state governments to put in place measures to ameliorate the suffering of the people through food security and infrastructural development.

“While acknowledging the giant stride in rice production through various interventions of the Buhari’s administration, the Federal Government should ensure that price of rice in the market becomes affordable to the common man in order to justify the rice revolution policy of the administration.

“The Federal Government must exhibit political will in its economic diversification programmes with a major focus on agricultural production. The development of the agricultural value chain can create mass employment and put the country on the path of economic recovery and prosperity,” the communique reads.

It also said the privatisation of the power sector should be reviewed since the contracts have expired to ensure viability, job security and effectiveness of the sector.

The TUC urged its members nation-wide to obtain their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) and ensure active participation in the democratic process ahead of 2023 general elections.

“Members are also urged to support the Political Commission of the Congress in creating groundswell awareness for providing leadership alternatives that deliver on democratic dividends and transformative governance to the people,” the communique added.