Tinubu To Meet NLC Today Over Fuel Subsidy Removal

The National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has disclosed that the labour union will meet on Wednesday to discuss the fuel subsidy removal.

Ajaero, during an interview with Sunrise Daily on Channels Television, said the meeting with the Federal Government will hold at 2pm.

He revealed that the government contacted the labour union late on Tuesday to show that Tinubu is open for discussion regarding the fuel subsidy.

“Government seems to have shown interest in discussion. As at last night, they reached out and we have fixed 2pm today (Wednesday) to commence discussion,” the NLC president said.

Ajaero faulted Tinubu’s announcement, stating that he shouldn’t have declared there is no more subsidy without the country producing, leaving the citizens to private oil companies that seek to take advantage of the situation.

“There, all other issues will discussed because you can’t just say there no subsidy and then you are not producing and leave us to the vagaries of the market, to people who want to sell the product they bought for N10 for N100 to maximise profit.

“If there is no more garri, we must find out what to eat,” Ajaero said during the interview.

Prime Business Africa previously reported on Monday that Tinubu stated his administration will phase out fuel subsidy as recommended by former President, Muhammadu Buhari.

Tinubu, during his inauguration speech at Eagles Square, in Abuja, said: “We commend the decision of the outgoing administration in phasing out the petrol subsidy regime which has increasingly favoured the rich more than the poor. 

“Subsidy can no longer justify its ever-increasing costs in the wake of drying resources. We shall instead re-channel the funds into better investment in public infrastructure, education, health care and jobs that will materially improve the lives of millions.”

Following his statement, fuel queues have resurfaced in petrol stations and retailers have increased their prices despite the removal not being effective till the end of June.