A community leader in Enugwu-Ukwu, Anambra state, Christina Beluchukwu has urged the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) leadership to engage in negotiation with the federal government rather than going on strike over the hike in gasoline pump prices.
In an interview conducted on Sunday in Enuguw-Ukwu, Njikoka Local Government Area (LGA), Anambra, Mr. Beluchukwu made the statement.
Instead of issuing the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) an ultimatum to reverse the petrol pump price or risk a statewide strike, he suggested that NLC leaders have a roundtable with government representatives.
Mr. Beluchukwu asserted that a strike is unnecessary and recommended that civil employees discuss and agree to a new minimum salary that the incoming administration may give in order to save the nation the suffering of unneeded disruptive protest.
Nigerians have begun purchasing petrol at the increased price and carrying on with their daily lives, he added, so a strike is not necessary at this time.
According to Mr. Beluchkwu, Nigerians should applaud the decision to discontinue gasoline subsidies since it has been overdue ever since it was found in 2012 that the subsidy’s intended purpose was not being achieved.
Many people do not comprehend the politics of fuel subsidies and the risks they pose to the nation’s development and progress because, if they did, they would quickly adopt the measure, no matter how short-lived the discomfort.
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The goal of subsidies, according to him, is for the government to simply lower the cost of a good for its users and simplify life. However, as things stand, the suggestion was rejected, favouring marketers above consumers.
Mr. Beluchukwu urged the federal government to give incentives to the populace immediately in order to lessen the impact of the early elimination of the gasoline subsidy.
He said that it would be preferable to put the protest or strike on hold and talk because the nation has already faced several severe economic and social hardships.
According to Mr. Beluchukwu, government organisations in charge of social orientation should inform the populace of the situation, particularly the necessity of the nation’s refineries being operational.
