Atiku Behind Planned NLC Nationwide Strike – NYCN

The planned nationwide strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) against increases in electricity tariff and pump price of petrol has been described as illogical and a resort to “antiquated” tactics in view of Nigeria’s and  global economic realities.

The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), in a statement issued on Thursday, and signed by its President, Comrade Solomon Adodo, also alleged that some National Officers of the NLC and TUC have compromised the integrity of the unions by receiving “inducement” from former vice president, Atiku Abubakar.

The statement said the ex-presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) was desperate to frustrate the efforts of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

The NYCN said the order by the NLC and TUC that the Federal Government reverts to the previous price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) was not only out of sync with the pricing realities of the product but also rubbishes the economic logic of subsidy removal.

The group, which accused the labour leaders of “deceit and misinformation,” wondered why they kept quiet when the federal government said it had stopped fuel subsidy payments but decided to kick against pump price increase which is the fallout of on-going deregulation of the sector.

The statement said, “It is expected that the Trade Unions, being bodies made of highly educated and experienced Nigerian Workers should be in the forefront of advancing a Socio-economic paradigm shift for the country.

“Sadly, the agitation and tactics of Labour continues to be antiquated since the global economic variables and realities have progressed without the Nigerian Labour movement moving with the trend.

“The most unfortunate twist this time around is the fact that some National Officers of the NLC and TUC have been induced by the Presidential Candidate of the PDP in the 2019 election – Alh. Atiku Abubakar – to ensure they frustrate the efforts of government at pushing on with the novel reforms in the Petroleum Industry.

“The call to mass action and strikes by the Labour Unions is evidently triggered by political motives rather than championing the cause of the average citizen. “

If the NLC and TUC did not see the need to argue over the withdrawal of subsidy some months ago, the group said it would amount “to hypocrisy to start a threat of strike now that the economic reality of a global oil market is before us.”

The NYCN said it was in full support of the deregulation of the oil and gas industry, stressing that any return old subsidy regimes would be unsustainable.

It stated that Nigeria could not afford to hold itself down by trying options that do not work, adding that the Trade Unions should not be the ones “pushing Nigeria to her economic doom.”

The group stressed that the deregulation of the oil industry gives hope to the youths, and said its members passed a vote of confidence on President Muhammadu Buhari “for taking the bull by the horn and setting the pace for massive industrialization through the liberalization of the Petroleum Industry.”

They advised former vice president Abubakar and  other opposition political leaders to support the Nigerian government to build a great nation.

“What we have before us is a challenge. But is also a huge opportunity to turn the economy around while addressing workers legitimate concerns. Let us all rise to this occasion together and build the great Nigeria of our dreams with President Muhammadu Buhari,” the statement said.  

The group, which said there was no economic sense in spending about N3 trillion on capital projects annually and spending N1.5 trillion on subsidy, listed its reasons for supporting deregulation in the petroleum and the power sector as follows:

1. Our continued deficit balance of trade needs to be improved upon, we lose almost all the gains of crude oil export by massive importation of refined products. We will not recover from this deficit till deregulation attracts massive investments in the oil sector.
2. The pressure on Foreign Exchange because of refined products importation will keep the Naira struggling against foreign currencies (particularly the United States Dollar). The deregulation of the Petroleum Sector will go a great extent in correcting this as refineries are now being built locally. Most importantly, the youths are denied jobs that will inevitably comes with deregulation.
3. The monies spent on importation and subsidy payment will be channeled to other internal economic activities. Obviously, the Federal Government cannot even afford this subsidy in the face of other competing issues demanding government’s attention.
4. As we all know, petroleum subsidy is fraught with endemic fraud. It is clear that subsidy is in the interest of some Nigerians, but it is certainly not the poor who it is claimed are the beneficiaries.
5. As for the Power Sector, there should be a more robust discussion about not only subsidy removal, but also total deregulation to check exploitation.
6. Finally, it should be emphasized that government has placed some cushioning measures such as the ₦200billion survival fund which will ensure more local content in the Petroleum Industry and also the Nigerian Youth Investment Fund which will ensure rapid industrialization and jobs creation amongst other novel steps being taken by the government.