Oluwatobi Adu 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is demanding urgent measures from the Federal Government to cushion workers and households against rising petrol prices and the resulting increase in the cost of living.
NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, made the demand on Wednesday in a statement titled “Save the Situation Now”, calling for immediate wage relief, support for local refineries and an expansion of the country’s petroleum storage capacity.
The labour centre said rising fuel costs were putting additional pressure on transportation, food, school fees, rent and other essential household expenses.
“As a nation, and as a people endowed with enormous fossil resources, we are deserving of a certain level of protection or buffer against the gales from the Gulf, and indeed, other gales,” Ajaero said.
The NLC president urged the government to introduce reasonable wage awards to help workers cope with the impact of higher petrol prices.
He also called for stronger support for local refineries, including the supply of crude oil to domestic refiners in naira.
According to Ajaero, expanding domestic refining capacity would help reduce the country’s exposure to international oil market pressures and their impact on domestic fuel prices.
Ajaero also urged the government to deploy part of the additional revenue generated from higher international crude prices to protect citizens from rising living costs.
He said the government was earning between $35 and $40 per barrel above the crude oil price used in the budget, describing the difference as a windfall.
The NLC argued that such additional revenue could provide temporary relief for workers and households facing increased expenses.
The labour body said the effects of higher petrol prices extend beyond transportation because fuel costs influence the prices of goods and services across the economy.
The NLC also questioned the continued importation of crude by local refineries, arguing that the practice undermines the purpose of expanding domestic refining capacity.
Ajaero called for a review of the arrangement and greater government support for domestic refiners.
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Mirian Gom 
