President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Joe Ajaero has condemned the recent increase in fuel pump prices by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), which has raised the price of petrol from N897 to N1,030 per litre across several retail outlets in the Federal Capital Territory.
This increase marks the second price hike in just one month, following a prior rise from N617 to N897 per litre in September.
Ajaero criticized the government’s failure to implement its Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiative over a year after its inauguration and pointed out that the Port Harcourt refinery remains non-operational despite agreements involving the federal government, the NLC, and the Trade Union Congress.
Speaking at the launch of Sharon Ijasan’s book, “The Tripartite: Understanding the Interplay between Workers, Employers and Government,” Ajaero expressed frustration over the government’s inaction.
He stated, “As we are sitting down here, they have gone to increase the pump price of petroleum again. Now what do you do in such instances? They expect us to buy it. Even things we have been asking for, CNG as an alternative, we have been pushing for over a year.”
Ajaero also raised concerns about the implications of the fuel price increases on the already established N70,000 minimum wage, questioning its relevance amid rising inflation. He called for a collective response from Nigerians, urging unity in the face of these economic challenges.
In his remarks to the press, Ajaero called on the National Assembly to clarify the coverage and review period of the N70,000 minimum wage, emphasizing the need for transparency and action to benefit workers and citizens alike.
