Hike in Petrol Pump Price: NLC calls for Government intervention to ease burden on citizens

Hike in Petrol Pump Price: NLC calls for Government intervention to ease burden on citizens

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has expressed concern over the rising pump price of petrol across the country, saying the development is worsening the economic hardship faced by Nigerians.

In a statement signed by its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, the NLC says petrol now sells for about one thousand four hundred and thirty naira per litre in some major cities, with prices higher in less accessible areas.

The Labour Centre says the increase in petrol prices has a direct impact on transportation costs and subsequently affects the prices of food, rents, school fees and other essential services.

While attributing the latest surge partly to the resurgence of conflict in the Gulf, the NLC argues that Nigeria, as an oil-producing country with local refining capacity, should have measures in place to cushion the impact of international market fluctuations on citizens.

The NLC is therefore calling on the Federal Government to introduce reasonable wage awards for workers, make sufficient crude available in naira to local refineries and expand national petroleum storage capacity to strengthen energy security. It also advocates targeted government intervention for citizens during the current emergency, while questioning the continued importation of crude by local refineries.