PIB: TUC Faults Plan To Limit Fuel Imports To Few Operators
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has condemned the planned move to limit fuel imports to few operators in the oil and gas industry.
According to TUC, the move is monopolistic and a deliberate attempt to frustrate the challenges the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) is intended to solve.
The workers body however counsels that the market should be left open if the government truly wants to be sincere in addressing the problem of the sector.
A statement, TUC president, Comrade Quadri Olaleye, FCIA, MNIM and Secretary General, Comrade (Barr.) Musa-Lawal Ozigi mni said, the country cannot afford to continue toying with the oil and gas sector as it remains the only major source of foreign exchange.
The labour leaders urge the lawmakers to rise up and provide true leadership instead of serving the interest of few capitalists.
” It is high time “these principalities and powers” removed their knees from the neck of Nigeria and Nigerians.
” It is dismaying and irritating the conspiracy to waste another opportunity from the lawmakers’ position and body language one could infer they are serving the interest of some few individuals to the detriment of the over 97 per cent of the country’s population but the Congress will not allow that to happen.”
According to the statement, the Congress is not against the companies holding refining licences; but should be left open so the destiny of the country will not be in the hands of a few individuals.
” The pertinent questions are; how well are the products and markets controlled by these same few people doing? Why are the lawmakers failing to see the large number of companies and employment that could be created when more investors are allowed to invest? Are these people (lawmakers) not disturbed by the unprecedented insecurity challenge in the country caused by unemployment? How long are these people going to continue to exploit the country?
“There is no sugarcoating the matter, the capitalist trajectory in Nigeria is morally, economically, and legally wrong as it tends to impoverish Nigeria and Nigerians. It hinders the country’s financial and economic progress because it transfers a huge chunk of public wealth to “favoured businessmen”.
” This is not only treacherous but also a serious form of corruption. We urge them to use their money for the social benefits of all; after all, they enjoy forex largesse financed by Nigerians’ hard earned oil revenue.
“We are calling on the government, especially the legislative arm to rescind their decision immediately as it would only worsen the problem it is meant to solve. Nigerians are going through a very difficult period now, and no bill against protest can stop us from opposing undemocratic and dictatorial laws and policies of government”, TUC said
