Following the hike in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has slammed the federal government over its inability to cater to the Nigerian people.
News About Nigeria reports that the TUC while expressing shock and dismay over Tuesday’s hike in the pump price tasked the Federal government to reverse the price with immediate effect.
Speaking in a statement by its President, Festus Osifo, the body noted that the sudden hike in fuel will further deepen the hardship and economic challenges Nigerians are suffering from.
The statement reads, “TUC received the news of PMS Price hike with great contestation and grave concern. The burden of PMS price increase is huge and percolates all facets of our social-economic life. This sudden hike, implemented without consultation with critical stakeholders, represents a blatant disregard for the welfare of the Nigerian people, particularly the working class who bear the brunt of such decisions. The disturbing news of the increase in PMS pump prices all over the country has sent a wave of apprehension and depression across the length and breadth of the nation.
“This is in the wake of an already existing unprecedented hardship upon citizens. In addition, we are deeply troubled by the further hike in electricity tariffs to 250 percent a service that is essential for the survival of the poorest in our society. The timing and magnitude of these increases, in the absence of any meaningful social security measures, demonstrate a lack of empathy and understanding of the challenges faced by ordinary Nigerians. Why does it have to be the common Nigerians bearing all the pains of high cost of living while those in power enjoy increased allocation and affluence? We urge the government to immediately rescind these decisions, promote policies that will strengthen the naira and take decisive steps to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians.”
