Abuja, Feb. 8, 2023 – Ayuba Wabba, the outgoing President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called for policy changes in the oil and gas sector.
Mr Wabba made the call on Tuesday in Abuja at the NLC 13th Quadrennial National Delegates Conference.
“Rather than seek a reduction in petrol prices, labour would seek a policy change.
“It is sad that people queue endlessly at the banks to access money and at filling stations to buy fuel. “Nigerians have been pushed to the wall concerning getting their money in the bank and buying fuel at filling stations,”
“If the issue is not addressed within the shortest possible time, nobody can predict what can happen.”
Wabba said the NLC was seeking to end the nation’s fuel importation policy as it will reduce petrol pump prices.
“The policy of importation was imposed on Nigerians in 2003 by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and that is why the price model of products is based on importation,” Wabba said.
The NLC president said that the federal government could only remove the subsidy on petroleum products when it starts refining locally.
“Refining locally will eradicate subsidy and corruption in the entire industry.
“When we refine petroleum in Nigeria, it will create job opportunities for the people,”
“We can organise youths in clusters and give them jobs, and by so doing, 50 per cent of the problem is solved.” (GBN)
