NLC Decides on Action Plan Today
TUC, CFTU, Afenifere, CD, Others Okay mass action
From George Oji in Abuja, Tokunbo Adedoja, Chris Nwachuku and Onwudo Francis in Lagos
Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) will today decide on modalities for resisting the new price regime announced by the Federal Government for petroleum products last Thursday.
The meeting comes on the heels of the resolve by the two other major trade union centres, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Congress of Free Trade Unions (CFTU) to merge forces with civil society organisatios to confront government over the price hike.
Also, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Campaign for Democracy (CD) and Afenifere, the Pan Yoruba political organisation have all endorsed a plan to stage mass action in protest against the fuel price hike.
But the decision on whether to go on mass protest or not will be taken by the NLC's National Executive Council in an emergency meeting expected to be held at Labour House Abuja. Expected at the meeting include the President, General Secre-taries and National Treasurers of the affiliate unions, national administrative council of NLC among others.
However, feelers emerging from the unions last night as their leaders arrived for the meeting indicated that majority of them may push for a total mass action against government.
THISDAY learnt last night that some union members may call for an expansion of the mass mobilisation network to include opinion leaders and other segments of the society.
A senior trade unionist told THISDAY last night that the demand for the expansion of the corps of the resistance to government's position on fuel price is informed by the fact that "the current price hike is a clear declaration of war against Nigerian people."
President of National Union of Food, John Onyenemere who is also a member of the NLC NEC said most of the union leadership are under pressure to declare an action plan but noted that the unions will collectively decide on how to address the issues under the guide of NLC.
NLC President, Adams Oshiomhole in a telephone chat last night said nothing is sacrosanct on the possible action of the movement, as the unions will determine the course of action based on the mandate given to them by their members.
"I am waiting for the affilate unions to unveil their mandate, my duty is to implement whatever decision is reached. Just wait till tomorrow and hear the voice of the workers," he said.
The TUC and CFTU at the weekend described the fuel price hike as totally uncalled for and an additional punishment on Nigerian people. They also resolved to participate in any action aimed at resisting the current increase.
CFTU General Secretary, Didi Adodo told THISDAY last night that his organisation will hold an emergency NEC meeting to harmonise their programme of action with that of other labour centres and the civil society. He however noted that "this is one battle that we cannot shy away from, because if we fail to unite now and fight, we will become worse than slaves in our own country."
He urged Nigerians to be prepared to make sacrifice this time.
TUC in its own reaction frowned at the unnecessary increase in prices of petroleum products despite the reaction of Nigerians the last time the same measure was taken by government.
The body noted that Nigerians had not felt any impact of government deregulation policies despite the promises.
In a communique issued at the end of a meeting of its national executive committee in Lagos at the weekend and signed by the second deputy president general, Joseph Babalola, and the secretary general, John Kolawole, the TUC, noted that: "TUC would join the forces with other well-meaning Nigerians in the fight to resist the arbitrary increase in the prices of petroleum products."
"NEC reviews the current hike in the prices of petroleum products and expresses its anger and shock at the arbitrary increases in the prices of the products, less than three months after the last hike, despite pleas and caution from organised labour and well-meaning Nigerians."
"NEC notes with sadness that government has been deceiving Nigerians with the deregulation policy and all the promises made by government to Nigerians on deregulation had remained a forlon hope."
"NEC therefore condemns in its entirety the arbitrary increase in the prices of petroleum products soon after the Justice Roseline Ukeje verdict against organised labour."
"NEC hereby calls on the Federal Government and the National Assembly to review the present position and revert to the old prices of petroleum products," it stated.
In its reaction to the fuel price hike, Afenifere in a statement signed by its National Administrative Secretary, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, urged the NLC to declare a nation-wide strike action to resist the "merciless move of Obasanjo regime".
"We equally call on all Nigerians to gird their loins and be ready for the battle ahead. To allow the regime to get away with this is to surrender to death. Not to resist this hike is to sign away our humanity. To fold our arms in the face of this onslaught is to pave way for a third term, since it would be assumed that we are a conquered people", the group added.
Afenifere maintained that "Obasanjo's regime finally lost the capacity to surprise Nigerians by jerking up fuel prices less than 48 hours after a federal High Court delivered a curious judgment on Labour's right to call strike."
"Afenifere had alerted Nigerians in January 2004 that the regime would take fuel to N70 per litre before the end of the year. The latest hike to between N52-N60 per litre depending on where you are buying is a confirmation of the inherent wickedness and callous disposition of the Obasanjo administration that would never spare a thought for the suffering of the ordinary people in prosecuting a ruthless reforms dictated by the World Bank and IMF.
"Which responsible government in this world would gleefully announce that it has spent $800m to repair the nation's refineries in five years while none is working and no one is in jail? Which responsible government in the world would say that it is increasing fuel price to check smuggling across the borders and yet spends the largest chunk of its budget on defence? Which responsible government in the world would boast as the sixth largest producer of crude oil in the world and would depend on imported refined fuel at a price it cannot control for its domestic consumption just as it cannot determine the price of its crude?," it stated.
Afenifere further noted that it had warned the nation that the ruthless zeal with which the presidency and Chief Audu Ogbeh led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were pursuing the Labour bill at the National Assembly was meant to destroy the NLC so that no one would be able to rally Nigerians to resist oppressive policies of the regime.
The CD, in a statement signed by its General Secretary, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin said with the latest development, Obasanjo is not just a dictator in the making, but a full blown dictator
It called on Nigerians and all democratic forces in the country to join hands with labour and civil society to reject the new pump price regime through a declaration of total strike and street protests.
CD said it was alarmed that the government has packaged such an independence anniversary gift to Nigerians by increasing fuel prices on the eve of the nation's 44th Independence anniversary.
"We see the action as wicked, insensitive and clear demonstration of deep contempt for the plight of Nigerians, majority of whom are presently at the lowest ebb.
"It is a shame to our civilian rulers that in less than five years after the demise of the rapacious and tyrannical General Sani Abacha, Nigerians now openly wish that the era were back as far as the fuel regime is concerned. And it is understandable because from N11 per litre when Abacha died, Obasanjo has now taken it to between N53-N60 per litre," he stated.
Also, NANS has called on Nigerian Students to commence nationwide protests against the hike in fuel pump prices.
A statement issued by the Chairman of NANS' Directorate of Action and Mobilisation, Adekunle Ayoola stated that: "NANS hereby declare a state of emergency and call on all, Students Union Government to commence nationwide protest of the unjust increase in petroleum products pump price".
However, the Senate at the weekend came out in strong defence of the recent increase in the price of petroleum products.
Speaking through the Senate Committee Chairman on the Downstream Sector, Chief Azu Emmanuel Agboti, the legislative Chamber urged Nigerians to be patient as what is important at this moment is for government to design programmes to cushion effects of the increase.
Agboti, who was flanked by his deputy, Chief Abiola Ajimobi told newsmen at the weekend in Abuja that so long as Nigerians are unable to determine the appropriate prices of the nation's petroleum products, the nation would continue to experience price adjustment of the product.
"Nigerians should be patient and watch government unfold its programmes for the country. Every government cares for the benefit of the electorates. We are not different.
"We know government is focused and doing everything within its powers to get where we plan to be. If the present increase is hurting everybody, it is because we have not accepted the reality. It is time for Nigerians to give government time to work," Agboti said.
Also speaking on the issue, Ajimobi said, "Our official response is that everybody desires regulation of the down stream sector. I believe what is important is that government should be transparent on the price structure of our crude. The public must be educated and enlightened on this issues. We should be concerned on how to cushion the effects of the increase."
Pressed to be more specific on the nature of the relief expected from government, Ajimobi said, "Government should provide necessary environment to enable Nigerians adjust to the increase."
He also urged government to properly apply the gains realised from the new fuel price regime.
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