The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has faulted the plan by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to embark on a nationwide protest against the federal government’s plan to remove petrol subsidy saying the action is uncalled for.
Recall that the NLC had fixed January 27 for its protest across the 36 states and a grand protest in Abuja over the planned fuel subsidy removal.
However, IPMAN’s senior special assistant on special duties to the chairman, national task force on anti-pipeline vandalisation, petroleum product adulteration and monitoring, Mr. Nwozuzu Chigozie, said labour should rather compel the federal government to provide modular refineries instead of planning unnecessary strike.
He contended there is no fuel subsidy clause in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari on August 16, 2021.
He said fuel subsidy issue in Nigeria should have been a thing of the past because it was obviously a waste of public fund, which according to him, favoured only the rich.
“In the 2022 budget, there is nothing like fuel subsidy. The landing cost of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) currently is around N400 per litre. The truth is it is against business ethics for importers to sell fuel below the landing cost.
“The labour leaders campaigning for massive protest won’t tolerate that kind of thing in their individual businesses. For a very long time NNPC has been in the business of importation and many business owners refused to import because of a lot of corruption.
“What the full deregulation means is that your landing cost determine how much you sell and Nigerians would buy at wherever suit them.
“Why is labour so particular about petrol? Are they protesting in interest of the populace? The answer is No. They have an ulterior motive,” he said.
Chigozie therefore called on the labour leaders to enlighten Nigerians on the benefits of withdrawing petrol subsidy.
He also urged the government to reinvest the subsidy savings in critical areas such as healthcare, education, agriculture and other sectors.
“But if the labour union is insisting on protest, that means they want the corruption involved in the payment of fuel subsidy to continue. Why can’t government subsidise foodstuff and provide electricity for people? There is a lot of unnecessary emphasis on fuel while Nigerians are suffering in other sectors,” he said.
