The Nigerian government’s decision to remove fuel subsidy has sparked a nationwide protest by organized labour unions, who have declared an indefinite strike from October 3rd. The strike is expected to affect the supply of electricity and fuel in the country, as the workers in these sectors have joined the protest.
The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) and the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG) have instructed their members to withdraw their services from Tuesday morning. This means that the power distribution companies and the oil refineries will be shut down, leaving millions of Nigerians without electricity and fuel.
The NUEE’s acting general secretary, Dominic Igwebike, said the union was in solidarity with the labour movement, which is demanding that the government reverse the fuel price hike and address other issues affecting the welfare of workers and citizens.
The NUPENG also issued a statement, saying that its members would not resume work until the government meets the demands of the labour unions. The union said it was concerned about the hardship and suffering that the removal of fuel subsidy has caused to Nigerians, especially the poor and vulnerable.
The removal of fuel subsidy, which was announced by the government on September 1st, has led to an increase in the pump price of petrol from N86.50 per litre to N145 per litre. The government said the subsidy removal was necessary to save money for infrastructure development and social welfare programmes.
However, the labour unions have rejected the government’s explanation, saying that the subsidy removal was a ploy to enrich a few individuals at the expense of the masses. They have also accused the government of failing to implement the minimum wage, improve health care, education, security and other social services.
The labour unions had earlier staged a two-day warning strike on September 5th and 6th, which resulted in a total blackout across the country. The strike also disrupted economic activities and caused traffic gridlock in major cities.
The government has invited the labour unions for dialogue, hoping to reach an agreement before the indefinite strike commences. The Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Bako Lalong, said he was optimistic that the meeting would yield positive results.
However, the labour unions have insisted that they would not call off the strike unless the government reverses the fuel price hike and addresses their other demands. They have also urged Nigerians to join them in the protest, saying that it was a fight for their rights and survival.
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