The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has accused the Federal Government of creating artificial fuel scarcity across major parts of the country to blackmail Nigerians into accepting an increase in the price of the product, which it says is the ultimate goal of the government.

It said the government was aiming at removing the remaining part of the subsidy thus forcing Nigerians to buy a litre of the premium motor spirit at N140 in the nearest future, adding that it would resist such attempt.

There have been reports of fuel scarcity in places like Abuja, Port Harcourt and Bayelsa in the last one week.

In a statement signed by NLC Acting General Secretary, Owei Lakemfa, the NLC also said the “artificial scarcity” of petrol was a ploy to pressure the National Assembly (NASS) to stop the probe into the wholesale fraud in the oil industry.

“The contrived scarcity is an unholy alliance between major oil marketers and various government agencies.

“The claim by the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria and the Independent Petroleum Marketers of Nigeria that the patriotic probe into the corruption-ridden oil sector by the NASS has created “uncertainties” and loss of confidence by the financial institutions which has translated into fuel scarcity is ridiculous.

“Banks cannot be scared to work with honest businesses as the marketers are claiming, and the country cannot be blackmailed to allow fraudsters continue to dominate the oil sector,” NLC said.

It assured the National Assembly that labour and Nigerians are behind “its probe into the age long theft of our oil wealth and the fleecing of the country through the inflation of the subsidy on fuel,” stressing that the future of the country lies in the ability, determination and the political will of the leaders to tackle corruption, which it said has become cancerous and threatening the country’s existence.

NLC further lamented that the very people who contributed to the present state of affairs in the oil industry are those claiming to be sanitising it by setting up a plethora of committees allegedly to cleanse the industry.

It described the committees so far set up in the oil sector as politically motivated and said rather than find solutions to the myriads of challenges in the industry, they have compounded the bureaucracy in government and increased the cost of governance contrary to President Goodluck Jonathan’s 16 January, 2012 pledge to the country that the cost of governance would be reduced.

While warning that the President and his government have no alternative but to live up to government’s promise that the people would enjoy the increase in the fuel price from N65 to N97 per litre, it said “the claims by some government officials that the mass protests organised by Labour and its allies which led to the reduction of a litre of PMS from N140 to N97 has made the fulfilment of the promise impossible is childish. It is like a dull, inattentive pupil blaming the teacher for his failure.”

It said Nigerians are no longer interested in excuses, but good governance and the dividends of democracy.

nasty45:

I been no wan post reply but "GEJ UR FATHER,IF U TRY DT KIND THING" if to say we know,we for buy u shoe

lonamy:

The Southern part of the country is producing 90% of the total revenue for the country, they have been neglected for over 50 years, no development nothing.

lonamy:

if you read this thread, https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-880198.0.html, you will see that there is a need for the removal of fuel subsidy.
The Southern part of the country is producing 90% of the total revenue for the country, they have been neglected for over 50 years, no development nothing.

The part that is not producing anything is enjoying the money, most of the oil and gas major investment in the country belong to themm because they are in government, yet you still sell fuel to them at subsidised price, and they are asking for more money to finance Boko Haram, that is absolute insanity.

Let the fuel subsidy be absoluely removed and letthem pay from the money they are receiving that is not coming from their soil. Port Harcourt needs serious development. There is nothing in Niger state safe IBB's mnasion. Do we need to spend nigerian money to provide security for his mansion that he got money to build by loooooting CBN?

Please GEJ remove fuel subsidy joor, we don't need it, it is a curse on the nation.

agiboma:

It certainly is a curse and it does not benefit the oil producing states. fyi most of the fuel subsity money the gvt alloted was given to a few ppl in Nigeria a few Hausa ppl that shared the money for many years. The removal is the only way to go. I live in PH and for a city that has 2 refineries int he state is is definetly an eye sore, nothing special to look @ removal is the only way to go to eliminate fuel scarcity etc.

Demdem:


I am based in the SS so i know what i am coming about.

otokx:

We are buying petrol for N130 in Port Harcourt and there is no electricity in my area.

Demdem:

Your whole post IMO is senseless however will like to attend to the above alone?
Agreed before the emergence of this republic (1999), the SS has been neglected however its foolish and nauseating to hear peeps still say that this region is still presently neglected.
I am based in the SS so i know what i am coming about.
Its a known fact starting from OBJ govt till date, funds are being pumped heavily into this region through various legal and illegal means. legal means includes the 13% derivation+ministry of Niger Delta+NDDC+more assistance from oil companies etc that other states of the federation dont have. The SS region has so far been one of the greatest beneficiary of this republic however the habitants of this region seems not to benefit from such.
talk to ur leaders, governors(sitting and former) and former warlords (criminals) who are all now living large at ur expense to know where exactly the funds are.

ebere1712:

If I hear anybody say oil again   God go osama that person. Aren't you people ashsmed of yourselves. Take all the oil and give us peace. Oil is of no use to the ordinary Nigerian, yet they are the ones getting killed like animals by animals and politicians. Aren't you people ashamed of screaming oil. Before oil, how did your forefathers survive. Men stupidity is a f****king bliss. Those people that have masterminded, brainwashed, and murdered defenceless people, because of political, religious and monetary reasons would face judgement (if not now, in death). They have played God by taking what they can't create. They have terrorised innocent people. God go osama them. Nigerian youths, stand up and see your real enemies.

Demdem:

Your whole post IMO is senseless however will like to attend to the above alone?
Agreed before the emergence of this republic (1999), the SS has been neglected however its foolish and nauseating to hear peeps still say that this region is still presently neglected.
I am based in the SS so i know what i am coming about.
Its a known fact starting from OBJ govt till date, funds are being pumped heavily into this region through various legal and illegal means. legal means includes the 13% derivation+ministry of Niger Delta+NDDC+more assistance from oil companies etc that other states of the federation dont have. The SS region has so far been one of the greatest beneficiary of this republic however the habitants of this region seems not to benefit from such.
talk to ur leaders, governors(sitting and former) and former warlords (criminals) who are all now living large at ur expense to know where exactly the funds are.

ebere1712:

If I hear anybody say oil again   God go osama that person. Aren't you people ashsmed of yourselves. Take all the oil and give us peace. Oil is of no use to the ordinary Nigerian, yet they are the ones getting killed like animals by animals and politicians. Aren't you people ashamed of screaming oil. Before oil, how did your forefathers survive. Men stupidity is a f****king bliss. Those people that have masterminded, brainwashed, and murdered defenceless people, because of political, religious and monetary reasons would face judgement (if not now, in death). They have played God by taking what they can't create. They have terrorised innocent people. God go osama them. Nigerian youths, stand up and see your real enemies.