The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, has blamed the ongoing price war between the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) and the Dangote refinery on the government’s inconsistent policies.
Speaking to journalists at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two on Wednesday, Ajaero described the situation between the two entities as fraudulent, stating that a deregulated economy should allow for choice and competition.
According to the labour leader, “The basis for regulating what Dangote should sell or dictating prices for the private sector is fraudulent.”
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Ajaero urged Nigerians to voice their concerns, as the government is attempting to control how much the private sector can charge for its products.
“For a product produced here, he didn’t import with dollars, there was no landing cost, and they want him to sell it at the same cost as what they are bringing from abroad. That is fraudulent and unacceptable.”
The NLC president added that the actions witnessed in the past two weeks seem aimed at frustrating Dangote’s efforts.
He also criticized the government for failing to repair the refineries, despite promising to do so in August of last year. As of September 2024, he noted, nothing has been done.
Regarding the implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage, Ajaero assured there was no cause for concern, as it would be carried out according to the agreement reached on April 18, 2024. He noted that the committee on consequential adjustment is working towards its implementation.
Ajaero confirmed that the government will pay the minimum wage, as the National Assembly has passed the bill.
