Petrol Price Hike: Nigerians express surprise as Labour leaders keep silent

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Scores of Nigerians have continued to express utter disbelief at the relative silence of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) over the recent increment in price of petrol, also known as the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

The increment was reported to have come barely after 72 hours oil workers under the aegis of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) declared indefinite strike over issues related to Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) and other sundry issues.

While several Nigerians are still groaning over the Federal Government’s decision to raise the pump price from N160 to N170 as they express their concerns especially via the Social Media platforms, others pointedly have urged the Labour leaders to take action in this regard.

ConsumerConnect had reported at the weekend that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in a statement acknowledged that it is aware of a document in circulation purporting an increase in the PPMC ex-coastal price and ex-depot price (with collection) to N130 and N155.17 respectively.

Dr. Kennie Obateru, Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of NNPC, in a statement Friday, November 13, 2020, said the oil corporation “wishes to clarify that although there was a slight increase in the price based on the prevailing realities of market forces of demand and supply, the correct prices, as can be seen on PPMC’s  “Customer Express” platform (online portal for procurement of petroleum products) are: Ex-Coastal Price – N128, and Ex-Depot Price (with collection) -N153.17.

Obateru disclosed the NNPC, therefore, advised marketers to make their purchases through the online “Customer Express” platform (PPMCCustomer.Express/login/authenticate) at the recommended prices.

However, days after the increment, the NLC and the TUC are yet to officially react either via a statement or other in regard to fuel consumers’ expectation in the country.

The Labour leaders neither responded to several calls nor text and Whatsapp messages sent by journalists covering Labour beat, who have also expressed their frustrations towards the leaders’ non-response to calls and messages for their responses, said Daily Trust.