Unions kick against call to remove petroleum subsidy

Bayo Olowoshile, the General Secretary of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, has called on President Goodluck Jonathan not to ratify the decision of Federation Accounts Allocation Committee to remove subsidy on petroleum products.
Olowoshile told the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Wednesday that the decision would add to the economic pains facing Nigerians.
He said the decision was unacceptable to the union, adding that removing the subsidy without any corresponding increase in purchasing power would have a negative multiplier effect on all aspects of the economy.
He said: “Government must ensure turn around maintenance of all the refineries before removing subsidy.
“We told government at a meeting we held in January that certain conditions must be met before the removal.
“Government must fix the four refineries and build new ones.
“The corruption associated with supply and distribution of petroleum products in the downstream sector of the oil industry must be eliminated.
“There must be regular power supply and provision of social infrastructure in order to encourage private sector to invest in the sector.”
Olowoshile said the union executives would soon meet and come out with its official position on the matter.
Similarly, the National President of the Trade Union Congress, Malam Bobboi Kaigama, said the congress was totally against the decision.
Kaigama said government should completely ignore the position of FAAC in the interest of Nigerians who are faced daily with challenges of how to cope with life.
He said: “TUC is totally against subsidy removal in whatever form.
“We advice the government to completely ignore the decision of the FAAC.
“We would consider any attempt by the government to withdraw fuel subsidy now as a breach of trust of the Nigerian people, especially workers.”
NAN reports that FAAC on Tuesday ratified its committee’s decision to remove petroleum subsidy.
FAAC had set up the committee in March to look into the possible removal of fuel subsidy.
The committee comprised members from the Commissioners’ Forum, the Customs, State Accountants General and the Minister of State for Finance among others.