Reps Warn Of Social Unrest Amid Deadlock In FG-Labour Fuel Price Talks
On Wednesday, the House of Representatives raised concerns that the recent hike in fuel pump prices could spark social unrest. This warning came after a meeting between the Federal Government and labour leaders regarding the petrol price increase ended without resolution. NNPC had raised the price of petrol to N1,030 per litre in Abuja and N998 in Lagos, marking a 14.8% rise within a month. The price hike worsened inflation, driving up transportation and food costs, and prompting the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to demand an immediate reversal.
During a plenary session, the House urged the Federal Government to reverse the price hikes, citing the severe economic strain on Nigerians. Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda and 100 others sponsored a motion highlighting the impact of fuel and gas prices on citizens’ ability to meet basic needs. Chinda stressed that the removal of fuel subsidies, combined with global oil price volatility and naira depreciation, had deepened the financial burden on Nigerians. He warned that unchecked inflation could lead to social unrest and economic instability.
Several lawmakers supported the motion, calling for urgent government intervention to alleviate the suffering caused by high fuel prices. The House also emphasized the need for the Federal Government to repair domestic refineries and reduce reliance on imported petroleum products. Additionally, they urged the Central Bank of Nigeria to implement monetary policies to mitigate the inflationary effects of fuel price hikes and called for a shift toward renewable energy solutions.
Meanwhile, a meeting between government officials and labour leaders failed to produce a consensus on the price hike. The government stressed that its decisions were necessary but acknowledged the need for ongoing dialogue with labour. The government also pointed out that global factors, including energy prices and inflation, were affecting economies worldwide, though it emphasized that the measures taken would eventually yield positive results.
