The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has come out strongly against the recent hike in fuel prices, urging the government to reverse the decision immediately. In a sharp rebuke of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), the NLC expressed grave concerns over the corporation’s role in determining fuel prices, describing it as an unacceptable overreach for a private entity.
“Even following the logic of market forces, it is an aberration that a private company like NNPCL is dictating fuel prices, positioning itself as a hegemonic monopoly,” the NLC said in a statement. The Congress argued that this move undermines the very principles of market competition and transparency, further exacerbating the economic strain on Nigerians.
The labour body also called on the federal government to move beyond what it termed “spasmodic, ad hoc policies” and instead, present a clear, actionable blueprint for sustainable economic growth and national development. “The government must abandon this band-aid approach to governance. We challenge them to go back to the drawing board and deliver a robust strategy that focuses on inclusive economic recovery, rather than temporary palliatives that only scratch the surface of the nation’s deeper socio-economic challenges.”
The NLC reiterated its commitment to standing with Nigerian workers and the broader populace in resisting policies that further marginalize the average citizen, signaling that organized labour would continue to push for policies that are equitable and promote long-term development.
As the public grows increasingly anxious about the impact of fuel price hikes on the cost of living, the NLC’s demands for an immediate reversal and a more transparent, accountable economic policy framework have struck a chord with many. The government, however, is yet to respond to these mounting pressures.
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