
By Adaobi Rhema Oguejiofor
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has cautioned all those demanding for fuel subsidy removal to refrain from the idea and save the country from another round of social turmoil, or push for it and set the nation on fire.
The General Secretary of NLC, Emmanuel Ugboaja, in an interview on Wednesday in Lagos, said that nobody should pull the masses and Nigerian workers into any form of increase in fuel price in the name of subsidy removal, adding that the organized labour would kick against it.
The Congress issued this warning following the announcement made by the outgoing administration stating that it had left the final decision on fuel subsidy for the incoming government to decide upon.
In his own words, “it will be inconsiderate for any government to be talking about subsidy or no subsidy for a product that is naturally and thoroughly well endowed in Nigeria.”
He said that it is wickedness for the nation to be discussing subsidy, instead of discussing production.
Ugboaja explained that the energy and resources that people channel into discussing subsidy showed a lack of focus, adding that the development shows a lack of seriousness and appreciation of what governance should be.
His words: “If in 2023, rather than getting people that will make proper use of our natural endowment, we are busy discussing the cosmetic challenge of subsidy or no subsidy, then it is absurd.”