The Trade Union Congress (TUC), has members to begin mobilisation toward nationwide strike over subsidy removal.
TUC has also advised the Federal Government to fulfill some conditions, including the fixing of all refineries and establishment of new ones including modular refineries, before removing subsidy from Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise known as petrol, or risk a nationwide strike by its members.
Other conditions listed by the TUC to be met by government before the removal of subsidy were effective policing of boarders to stem the rate of petroleum products smuggling.
The TUC also wants the Federal Government to take into consideration the attendant economic impact of final subsidy removal on the masses.
These were contained in a communiqué issued at the end of TUC’s National Executive Council meeting jointly signed by its President, Comrade Quadri Olaleye and Secretary – General, Musa-Lawal M. Ozigi yesterday in Abuja.
Recall that the National Economic Council chaired by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has deferred decision on subsidy removal till June.
But the Congress directed its State Councils and affiliates to commence mobilisation of members for industrial actions against subsidy removal in case the Federal Government fails to meet these conditions.
The communiqué partly reads: “The Proposal by National Economic Council on the final removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) as from June 2022 should take into consideration the attendant economic impact on the masses. There must be assurances that refineries are fully overhauled and establishment of modular refineries encouraged.
“NEC-in-Session insist that Federal Government must ensure that the conditions precedent put forward by the TUC on the deregulation of the downstream such as; the revitalization of existing refineries, establishment of new ones including modular refineries, effective policing of boarders to stem the rate of petroleum products smuggling, e t c are implemented.
“Finally, NEC-in-Session has mandated the Congress led by the President to take all necessary steps to ensure that these conditions are met before subsidy is removed. Consequently, NEC-in-Session directs State Councils and affiliates to commence mobilisation of members for industrial actions against subsidy removal without government fulfilling conditions precedent.”
The congress also asked the federal and state governments to put in place measures to ameliorate the suffering of the people through food security and infrastructural development.
“While acknowledging the giant stride in rice production through various interventions of the Buhari’s administration, the Federal Government should ensure that price of rice in the market becomes affordable to the common man in order to justify the rice revolution policy of the administration.
“Federal Government must exhibit political will in its economic diversification programmes with major focus on agricultural production. The development of the agricultural value chain can create mass employment and put the country on the path of economic recovery and prosperity.”
Congress further asked that the privatisation of the power sector be reviewed since the contracts have expired to ensure viability, job security and effectiveness of the sector.
The TUC urged its members nationwide to obtain their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) and ensure active participation in the democratic process ahead of 2023 general elections.
“Members are also urged to support the Political Commission of the Congress in creating groundswell awareness for providing leadership alternatives that deliver on democratic dividends and transformative governance to the people,” the communiqué added.
