FG’s N500bn promise to cushion fuel price increase a sham –NLC

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has revealed that the Federal Government’s promise that it budgeted about N500billion as a palliative to cushion the effect of the increase in pump price of petroleum was nothing but lies.

President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government had made the promise when it changed the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise known as petrol from N97 to its present price of N145.

However, briefing newsmen on the activities of 2017 May Day celebration, the deputy president of NLC and chairman of this year’s May Day celebration, Peters Adeyemi, said contrary to the promise by the Federal Government, there was nothing as N500billion palliative money.

He then assured Nigerians that NLC is determined to ensure government review the N18,000 minimum wage.

He said, “Federal government told us when we protested against the increase of pump price of fuel from N97 to N145, that N500billion was budgeted as a palliative for workers, but to our greatest surprise, we discovered there was nothing as such, rather government is blaming the situation in the price of crude oil at the international market.

“We are determined to ensure government provide palliative to cushion the effect of hash economic policies of this government and also ensure there is food on the table of Nigerians.”

On the activities for this year’s May Day, Adeyemi said, “We shall use this opportunity to renew the call for the review of the national minimum wage that is overdue for review considering the current economic trend.

“Inflation has increased, the naira has lost its value and current minimum wage has been completely eroded. Therefore, the need and urgency for a call for the review of the current minimum wage.”

The theme of these year’s May Day which is “Labour relations in economic recession: an appraisal,” he said would provide working class the opportunity to engage the government on how to revive the economy.

“As the theme of this year’s May Day suggests, this is a time for us as working class to look at the present economic situation that has witnessed negative downturn and the reality of the moment.

“We need to critically look at the opportunity afforded us to work toward achieving economic revival and chart a way to a national rebirth, economic recovery and advocate for the engendering of socio-economic policies that is pro-poor.”

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