he Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has kicked against the latest increase in petrol prices, warning that the development will put more pressure on Nigerians already struggling with the rising cost of living.
The labour body also called on the Federal Government to make more locally produced crude available to the Dangote Refinery and other domestic refineries.
Reacting to the latest development, NLC acting General Secretary Benson Upah said Nigerians were already facing severe economic pressure.
“This adds to the increasing difficulties of the average Nigerian for whom life has been Hobbesian,” he said.
The union questioned why more crude could not be supplied to Dangote Refinery, especially with Nigeria currently producing crude locally and having a major refinery capable of processing large volumes.
“The latest increase is avoidable and unacceptable in light of falling prices in the international market and our local capacity to sell more crude oil to Dangote. Why are we not doing so?” Upah said.
The reaction followed another increase in the price of petrol sold by Dangote Refinery.
The refinery recently moved its gantry price from N1,200 to N1,265 per litre, coming only days after another increase from N1,185 to N1,200.
The repeated adjustments have raised concerns among consumers and businesses, as increases in petrol prices often affect transportation costs and the prices of goods and services.
The NLC maintained that Nigeria should take greater advantage of its domestic refining capacity instead of allowing crude supply issues to contribute to higher petrol prices.
The latest development has also sparked discussions among Nigerians, particularly over the impact of rising fuel costs on households, transport operators and businesses.
