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NLC warns Jonathan against total removal of fuel subsidy

By David Abellegah on November 17, 2012

The Nigeria Labour Congress has warned the Federal Government against any planned move to add the price of petroleum products in the country.

In a statement on Friday, the NLC President, Mr. Abdulwahed Omar cautioned that any increase in the price of fuel would lead to a crisis, adding that the congress would not hesitate to call on Nigerians to resist the move.

Omar advised President Goodluck Jonathan to focus his attention on curbing corruption in the state that has held the nation’s oil sector hostage.

Instead, he said the president should ensure the prosecution of those indicted for subsidy fraud and the diversion of N1.7tn funds meant for the industry, saying, that should be his best move instead of looking into removing the petroleum subsidy.

He reminded the President Jonathan that the nation’s refineries were effectively managed until they came under a regime of corruption foisted on them by corrupt government officials, thereby debunking his claim that local refining of petroleum products could only be effectively carried out by private sector operators.

.He said if the President insists on removing the subsidy completely the crisis that will experienced in the country would surpass that of last January anti-fuel price hike demonstration.

“The statement by the President claiming that only the removal of fuel subsidy will allow for domestic refining of fuel is highly disturbing. More so, coming at this time of the year, when many see the current fuel scarcity being experienced in most parts of the country as being artificially created,” Omar said.

“With the wave of revelations regarding monumental corruption in the petroleum industry it will be unimaginable to contemplate any other thing than focusing on ridding the industry of the endemic corruption that has become so pervasive in the industry,” Omar added.

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