News
NLC Lists Dangers Of Oil Subsidy Removal
The proposed removal of oil subsidy by the Federal Government will encourage the adulteration of petroleum products in the country, the Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Delta State, Mr Mike Akusu, has said.
Akusu told newsmen in Asaba yesterday that with the removal of subsidy, dealers of petroleum products would want to make more gains by adulterating the products.
He said that the subsidy removal would also push the country back to the era of “non-availability” of the products, with escalating prices.
The NLC chairman further said that the removal of the subsidy would cause unemployment.
He explained that the common man, especially artisans, who depended on such products to power their generators, would no longer afford the products.
“And that will consequently result in increase in criminality, mass unemployment and inflation in the prices of other goods in the market.”
Akusu advised the Federal Government to take into consideration the adverse effects of its policies on the populace before implementation.
In his reactions to the proposed fuel subsidy removal, Dr John Nwachokor, the Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS), Delta chapter, said “it will only help in enriching politicians”.
He complained that even the 13 per cent derivation fund to oil producing states in the country had not been well-utilised.
Nwachokor said that more than half of the benefiting states had no developmental structures on ground to show for what they received.
He accused the government of some of the benefiting states of diverting the funds, rather than using it for the development of the states.
Also reacting, a commercial motorcyclist, Mr Chukwujindu Anozia, appealed to the Federal Government not to remove the oil subsidy.
He said “the current status of availability of petroleum products and at pump price is the best gift any president can give to the country.’’
He commended late President Umar Yar’Adua “for his foresight in subsidising petroleum products to ameliorate the hardships of the people.”
He also appealed to President GoodLuck Jonathan to maintain the status quo.
Another commercial motorcyclist, Mr David Eluaka, said that the removal of subsidy would cause more hardship in the nation.
He said, “it will amount to going back to the days of petroleum products users spending nights at filling stations just to get products.”
He appealed to the Federal Government to always work toward enhancing the living conditions of its citizenry rather than making them worse.
Meanwhile, Some Islamic leaders on Tuesday described the planned removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government as ill-timed, given the prevalent climate of unemployment, poverty and bad infrastructure in the country.
The leaders spoke in separate interviews with newsmen in Lagos.
Alhaji Lateef Okunnu, President, Ansar-ud-deen Society of Nigeria, said the planned removal was a very delicate issue that would expose Nigerians to more hardship.
“The removal is ill-timed and unnecessary because it would make Nigerians pay more for fuel and other goods and services under a climate of unemployment, bad infrastructure and poverty,’’ he told newsmen.
Okunnu, a former Federal Commissioner for Works, said that the cost of governance— which he noted had been too high— should be reduced at the expense of fuel subsidy.
“The cost of governance is artificially high and if it is reduced very well, funds saved would be used in executing more capital projects,’’ he said.
The Islamic leader urged the Federal Government to reduce the allowances and salaries of legislators, which he claimed was too high.
He also advised the government to reduce the number of Ministers and Advisers, saying there were only 12 Federal Commissioners who performed the role of Ministers when he served and that they did not perform badly.
“Even the developed economies do not have large numbers of Ministers like ours. We were 12 Ministers then and we did not perform badly, ‘’ he said.
Prof. Tajudeen Gbadamosi, a retired don at the University of Lagos, described the planned removal as “unfortunate”.
“It is unfortunate that such removal could be brought at a time when Nigerians are just getting off the trauma of violence,’’ he said.
Gbadamosi said that removal of the subsidy would be very harsh on the people, alluding that it was ill-timed and unnecessary.
“It is a misplaced priority that needs not be introduced at a time when the issue of minimum wage , militancy, violence, poverty and bad infrastructure are yet to be resolved,’’ Gbadamosi explained.
The Federal Government had recently announced its plan to remove fuel subsidy from 2012 as part of reforms to salvage the economy.
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.
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