In light of the socioeconomic effects on businesses and Nigerians, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, or NUPENG, has cautioned the Federal Government against considering eliminating the petrol subsidy without local refining capacity.
The removal of the subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit, or PMS, is not opposed by members of the union, according to the union, but the federal government must make sure that our local refineries are fully operational before such a significant policy choice is made in the interest of Nigerians generally.
This was included in a statement made by NUPENG officials following a meeting of the union’s National Executive Council, or NEC, in Lagos.
The NEC had discussed the state of the country, particularly in light of the next general elections in 2023 and the rising number of statements from Nigerians expressing support for the Federal Government’s decision to abolish the PMS subsidy programme, among other things.
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Prince Williams Akporeha, President of NUPENP, and Afolabi Olawale, General Secretary of NUPENP, respectively, both signed the communiqué.
NUPENP, Stated that “NEC-in-Council also examined the recurrent discussions for the removal of subsidy from the Petroleum Motor Spirit, PMS, and expresses deep concerns over the failure of the Federal Government to do the needful as advised by Organised Labour that deregulation of the PMS should not be predicated on importation of the product because of all the obvious negative impacts on the socio-economic life of the people and nation in general.
“The Council-in-session expressed disappointment in the failure of the government to deliver on its promises of making the three national refineries work before contemplating the removal of the subsidy on this very important economic item in view of the enormous implication and the impact on the economic activities and considering the socio-economic importance of PMS to ordinary Nigerians.
“The NEC-in-session reaffirms that in as much as our Union is not averse to the removal of PMS subsidy, the Federal Government must ensure that our local refineries are put into full operation before a such major policy decision is taken in the interest of the generality of Nigerians.”
NUPENG promised to oppose any attempt to impose an interim or undemocratic government on Nigeria after May 29 in response to the recently finished general elections.
In the run-up to and following the conduct of the general elections in 2023, it expressed concern over the rising and unceasing spread of hate, ethnic and religious bigotry by politicians, religious leaders, elites, and the youth. This was done at the expense of the peace, unity, and coexistence of the Nigerian people.
The Union stated in its communiqué that the “Council-in-Session unanimously agreed that although the election may not have been perfect or produced the results that some people had in mind, there must always be winners and losers in every game, and that there are numerous avenues available under the country’s electoral laws for any party who feels wronged to seek redress rather than inflaming the political climate and dividing the nation.
“All harmed parties and individuals should follow the standard democratic behaviour of conceding defeat, congratulating the victor, or going to court to seek remedy.
