Wednesday 15 March 2023

APC Chieftain Kicks Against NLC,TUC Planned Strike over Fuel Scarcity, Naira Crunch



The All Progressives Congress Chieftain, Engineer Kailani Muhammad has frowned against the threat by Trade Union Congress and Nigeria Labour Congress to go on strike over petroleum and naira notes scarcity.

Recall that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), on Monday issued a 7-day ultimatum to the federal government to address the current issue of fuel and naira scarcity in the country of face strike action .

But in a reaction to the strike threats , Engineer Kailani Muhammad in a press statement personally signed  made it clear that the masses are not in support of TUC and NLC going on strike at this critical transition period .

According to him,giving the government 7-day ultimatum without recourse to what the federal government is doing to see that the scarcity of fuel disappear, amounts to being insensitive to efforts made so far to address the issues of fuel Scarcity and naira crunch challenges.

Kailani, who was a former staff of NNPC and union member spoke extensively on need for the two labour unions to shelve the strike idea and negotiate with federal government on way forward instead.

He noted that Nigeria just concluded a hitch-free presidential elections with Asiwaju  Ahmed Bola Tinubu and Senator Kashim Shettima of All Progressives Congress emerging victorious ,but it seems already the Labour Party and NLC are in romance with PDP to cast aspersions on the election outcomes.

 However he said ," The truth is that any  attempt to go strike  will not augur for Nigeria. If the labour unions want to embark on a sincere strike action, they must as matter of urgency discuss with government on the way forward first .

"Government has been doing his best by way of ensuring adequate supply of PMS and other petroleum products into this country.And from NNPCL reserve , all the time they have over one billion liters to service this country .

"All hand must be on deck to make sure that this government succeeds in the area regular fuel supply .It is unimaginable that at this critical period, NLC and TUC are talking about strike action

"We know there are still areas with queues , but NNPCL is working tirelessly to clear them . It is only the government that is importing fuel."

While reiterating that the masses  will not tolerate any form of strike now,  he asked ,"We don't know what they are up to,because we learnt they planned to  cause trouble,so that Nigeria will be on fire?


Meanwhile, he urged the security agencies to act promptly. Stressing that it is insensitive for  union bodies to give government one week ultimatum on  the issues of naira Swap and PMS  without prior failed negotiations .

"If they come out to protest the government should take action on them because they as re not sincere and honest. We want peace and tranquility to reign in this country .

"Subsidy regime is still there ,the federal government is yet to remove it .You are all aware that the  President elect have promised to remove petroleum subsidy".he stated . 

"More  so, that assurance has been given by the Minister of State for  Petroleum  that government the subsidy regime will soon be over,thus there will be competition and marketers would be given opportunity to import without hinderance .

Kailani also hinted that the Port Harcourt refinery will soon become fully operational .

He warned against Saboteurs, saying "Anyone who wants to disturb the peace of this country would be arrested and jailed."

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