TheCable

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) says it is not planning to commence a strike on Friday over the removal of petrol subsidy as claimed in some quarters. 

On Monday, in his inaugural speech, President Bola Tinubu said the petrol subsidy regime was over.

“On fuel subsidy, unfortunately, the budget before I assumed office is that no provision is there for fuel subsidy. So, fuel subsidy is gone,” the president had said.

Following Tinubu’s comments, huge queues resurfaced at filling stations in some parts of Nigeria — a situation the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) blamed on panic buying.

On Wednesday, representatives of the federal government and organised labour started a meeting to find lasting solutions to the effects the subsidy removal would have on the citizens.

The meeting ended without arriving at a conclusion while Joe Ajaero, NLC president, said the union would meet its members for further consultation.

However, there were reports that the NLC had fixed Friday to commence a strike in protest against the subsidy removal.

Reacting to the development, Benson Upah, NLC’s head of information and public affairs, asked Nigerians to disregard the claim.

“Our attention has been drawn to stories circulating in the social media claiming that the NLC would begin protest action on June 2 against the increase in the pump price of petrol,” NAN quoted him as saying.

“In as much as we are outraged by this mindless price increase which is intended to bring untold hardship to Nigerians, we have no plan to start any action on June 2.

“What we do have for now are organ meetings slated for June 2 to deliberate on the price issue.”

Upah said the NLC would keep Nigerians informed on its next line of action after its meetings.