The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged the Federal Government to urgently intervene in the rising cost of petrol, which currently ranges between N1,170 and N1,300 per litre across the country.
The demand was made in a statement issued by the NLC President, Joe Ajaero.
Ajaero said the recent increase in petrol prices had worsened the economic hardship faced by Nigerian workers and the general public.
According to him, the surge in fuel prices has significantly increased transportation costs while pushing up the prices of food and other essential commodities beyond the reach of many Nigerians.
“The sudden increase in petrol price to between N1,170 and N1,300 per litre has further deepened the economic hardship faced by Nigerian workers and the general populace,” he said.
He called on the government to urgently introduce measures such as wage support and cost-of-living relief to cushion the impact of the fuel price hike on workers and vulnerable citizens.
Ajaero also urged the government to implement policies that would help stabilise the downstream petroleum sector, noting that the situation had exposed its vulnerability to global market volatility.
He stressed the need for public refineries in the country to become fully operational in order to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported petroleum products.
According to him, reviving the nation’s refineries would help stabilise domestic fuel supply and protect Nigerians from sudden price shocks.
The NLC president further called for tax relief for low-income earners and expanded social support programmes to assist vulnerable Nigerians.
He said any windfall from rising global crude oil prices should be transparently managed and directed toward improving the welfare of citizens.
Ajaero also urged the government to engage in sincere dialogue with organised labour to address the growing economic challenges facing workers.
The statement emphasised that urgent action was needed to ease the burden of rising living costs on Nigerian households. (NAN)
