Comrade Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), voiced strong disapproval of the recent rise in petrol pump prices, characterising the government’s actions as a continuation of a troubling trend that exacerbates the challenges faced by ordinary Nigerians.
Ajaero said this in a press statement issued on Wednesday after it was noted that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) had increased the petrol pump price in its retail outlets to N998 in Lagos and N1,030 in other locations.
Ajaero noted, “We are dismayed by the latest increase in the pump price of petrol,” emphasising that the government’s pattern of raising prices without providing adequate support for the citizens is concerning.
He stated, “It looks like the only thing this government is known for is an increase in the pump price of petrol without commensurate capacity of Nigerians or mitigatory measures.”
He expressed concern that the responsibility of price fixing by a private entity, NNPCL, has created a monopolistic environment that disregards the needs of the populace. “We find it an aberration that a private company (NNPCL) is the one fixing prices and projecting itself as a hegemonic monopoly,” he said, urging the government to develop a clear, inclusive blueprint for economic growth rather than relying on sporadic and ineffective policies.
Ajaero pointed out the significant impact of this latest price hike, stating, “The latest wave of increase has grossly altered the calculations of Nigerians once again at a time they were reluctantly coming to terms with their new realities.”
He warned that this decision will further deepen poverty, declaring, “It will further deepen poverty as production capacities dip, more jobs lost with multidimensional negative effects.”
In light of these concerns, Ajaero urged the government to “immediately reverse this rate hike as previous increases did not produce any good result. People only got poorer.”
He concluded by calling for transparency, saying, “The government should be bold enough to tell Nigerians in advance the destination it wants to take the country,” emphasising the need for a clear path forward amidst rising economic challenges.
Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi
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