In compliance with the directive of the National Headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Kwara State Council of the congress has resolved to embark on a peaceful rally on Thursday (January 27, 2022) to protest the federal government’s proposed hike in the pump price of petrol otherwise known as Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
Arising from mobilization meeting with affiliated unions, civil society organizations, professional bodies, artisans, market men and women, transporters and students, the congress urged the citizens to dismiss the report that the government had suspended its plan to withdraw subsidy from PMS, describing it as diversionary tactics.
It would be recalled that the National Headquarters of NLC had directed state councils to join nationwide protest against the government’s plan on fuel subsidy withdrawal.
The state NLC Chairman, Comrade Issa Aliyu Ore, appealed to the populace to come out en-masse to protest against the planned increase in price from N162 per litre to N304 per litre.
Ore, who described the policy of the federal government as obnoxious, satanic and anti-people, said that the union leaders cannot fold their arms and allow people to experience another hardship and added all hands must be on deck to fight for the rights of the masses.
“It isn’t organized labour that postponed its planned actions of January 27th and February 1st, but the federal government suspending its planned wicked hike to increase the suffering of Nigeria! Not until organized labour reaches out to make its stand known, the protest days subsist!
“In principle, the government is still hellbent on the increase of PMS but only bidding time to impose its inimical fuel price; It’s just the postponement of the evil day! And the working people and oppressed masses shouldn’t fall for this latest deception as to go to sleep! In any case, the issues and demands at stake in Nigeria today, are beyond just the fuel price hike”, he said.
He, however, cautioned the federal government against increasing pump price of fuel, saying a rise in petrol price would automatically push more Nigerians deeper into poverty.
He said that the economic downturn was taking its toll on Nigerians as prices of goods were skyrocketing beyond control, warning that further increase in petroleum products would lead to further hardship for workers and Nigerians.
The protest is expected to take off at the NLC Secretariat, Labour House, Lajorin Road, GRA, Ilorin on Thursday 27 January, 2022 at 7:00am.
