Abuja: The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called for government’s intervention to address the surge in petrol prices between N1,170 and N1,300 per litre across the country. The call is contained in a statement signed by Mr Joe Ajaero, President of the NLC.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Ajaero said the rising cost of petrol had worsened the hardship faced by Nigerian workers, particularly in transportation, food prices, and general cost of living. He stated, “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.”
The NLC president highlighted that the rising cost of fuel has made transportation increasingly unaffordable for workers, while food prices and other essential commodities continue to surge beyond the reach of ordinary Nigerians. He emphasized the need for the government to introduce measures, including wage support and cost-of-living relief, to mitigate the impact of the fuel price crisis.
Ajaero further explained that the current situation exposed the vulnerability of Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector to global market volatility. He stressed the importance of ensuring that public refineries in the country become fully operational to reduce dependence on imported petroleum products, which would help stabilize domestic supply and shield Nigerians from sudden price shocks.
In addition, the NLC president called for tax relief for low-income earners and expanded social support programs for vulnerable Nigerians. Ajaero urged the government to ensure transparency in managing expected oil revenue gains from current global developments, suggesting that any windfall from rising crude oil prices should be used to improve the welfare of Nigerians.
He concluded by calling for sincere dialogue between the government and organized labour to address the growing economic challenges facing workers.