NLC Condemns Petrol Price Hike, Calls It Insensitive to Nigerians
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has strongly criticized the recent hike in petrol prices, calling it an act of insensitivity towards the Nigerian masses. Senior NLC officials, including Deputy President of the NLC Political Commission, Prof. Theophilus Ndubuaku, expressed concerns that the government has failed to engage workers, business groups, and students in discussions about such decisions, which will have widespread consequences on inflation, transportation, and food costs.
Ndubuaku, in an exclusive interview, emphasized that in more responsible nations, a decision as impactful as a fuel price hike would be preceded by consultations with key stakeholders, including labor unions and the private sector. He argued that the government is failing to explain its rationale behind the decision and is leaving the public unprepared for the consequences.
“Instead of including workers in discussions, the current administration seems to be operating without regard for the masses, creating frustration,” Ndubuaku said. He called on President Bola Tinubu to emulate past leaders like Olusegun Obasanjo, who regularly held consultations with relevant stakeholders to avoid such dissatisfaction.
Further criticism was directed at oil marketers, whom the NLC accused of manipulating the pricing of petroleum products for profit. Sessi Funmi, the NLC Chairperson in Lagos, argued that marketers were primarily responsible for the high prices, undermining government efforts to stabilize the oil sector.
Dangote Refinery Defends Its Role
Meanwhile, Dangote Petroleum Refinery distanced itself from blame, stating that the recent price hike was a result of increased global crude oil prices, not any deliberate action by the refinery. According to Dangote Group spokesperson Anthony Chiejina, while there was a slight increase in the ex-depot price of petrol, the refinery absorbed much of the rising logistics costs to prevent steep price increases.
Chiejina added that Dangote’s price adjustment was relatively modest compared to the global surge in oil prices and that the refinery has committed to maintaining uniform pricing across the nation. The refinery’s decision to limit price increases reflects a commitment to protecting Nigerian consumers from the full impact of international price fluctuations, he said.
Oil Marketers Defend Price Increases
In defense of the rising prices, oil marketers, through the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), clarified that they should not be blamed for the increase. They pointed out that the full deregulation of the oil market means that prices are dictated by market forces, primarily international crude oil prices and exchange rates. Marketers explained that when the price of crude oil rises, it directly impacts the cost of refined petrol, leading to increases at retail outlets.
PETROAN’s National President, Dr. Billy Gillis-Harry, stressed that marketers are merely responding to price changes in the global market, which are beyond their control. He pointed out that the fluctuations in crude oil prices are the main factors causing instability in domestic fuel prices. Similarly, marketers acknowledged that the new price levels reflect the cost of imports, and assured consumers that they are not artificially inflating prices.
Conclusion
As the price of petrol continues to fluctuate due to global factors, both the NLC and oil marketers agree on the need for more transparency in the pricing process. The NLC has called for increased accountability and consultations with stakeholders to ensure that the welfare of the Nigerian people is considered in major economic decisions. Meanwhile, Dangote Refinery has committed to maintaining fair pricing, despite challenges posed by international price volatility.
