Fuel Subsidy: NLC’s Ultimatum A Chance For Govt To Review Position – Femi Falana (Video)

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)’s ultimatum on the increase in gasoline prices, according to human rights attorney Femi Falana (SAN), is an invitation for the government to reevaluate its stance on the issue.

In his inaugural address, President Bola Tinubu proclaimed that “subsidy is gone,” which resulted in an increase in the price of gasoline throughout the nation.

Following the action, the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) revised the pump price for the commodity, increasing it from roughly N185 to over N500. Since then, the NLC has requested a change and threatened to demonstrate on Wednesday.

But while speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Falana said the ultimatum is an opportunity for the government.

“Government has begun discussions with the Nigeria Labour Congress which perhaps should have preceded the announcement. But it is a new government and I expect as a new government, they should take advantage of the opportunity,” he said on Friday.

“When workers issue an ultimatum, in Nigeria and wherever it is an invitation for the government to review its position,” the lawyer added. “The government this time around will have to look at the totality of the economy. What you call fuel subsidy is an infinitesimal aspect of subsidies in the country.”

According to him, the government has other forms of subsidies benefiting some sects of persons.

As far as he is concerned, the removal of the subsidy means the government cannot tackle smuggling and has now “punished the people”.

He also lamented the dollarisation of Nigeria’s economy, reiterating his claims that some schools and other businesses now take payments in dollars.

“Why must I be looking for dollars in my country? Why should some schools be collecting dollars as fees? Rents being collected in dollars? Some fees are paid in dollars to professionals,” he said, describing it as illegal.

“These guys are ruining the economy by spending dollars irresponsibly,” he noted.