No going back on planned protest against fuel price hike – TUC

The Trade Union Congress on Saturday says it will not go back on its decision to embark on a protest on Tuesday against the increase in the prices of fuel and electricity tariff despite speculations about a court order stopping the proposed demonstration .

TUC Deputy National President , Chika Onuegbu , who disclosed this to The PUNCH , said the union had begun to mobilise its members for the protest and strike.

Explaining that the TUC was not aware of any court order to stop the planned protest , Onuegbu condemned the increase of fuel price , adding that the Federal Government ’ s action had become a burden on Nigerians.

He said , “ I must say that we are mobilising our members for the planned protest on Tuesday. Some are talking about a court order ; but to the best of my knowledge , we are not aware of any court order stopping our planned protest .

“ I am also not aware that our secretariat has received any court order ; our people have not been served. As a matter of fact , we are preoccupied with mobilising our members for the protest.

“ The increase in fuel price is an extra burden on us and our families; the increase in electricity tariff is an extra burden on us and our families ; the increase in Value Added Tax is an extra burden on us and our families; and the general increase in food prices.

“ While all these are happening , our members are being owed salaries, gratuities and pensions . Honestly speaking , we have a lot that we are bothered with this period . I think we have to really make a statement that Labour is united in the struggle for a better Nigeria . ”

Onuegbu called on the Federal Government to immediately revert to the old prices of fuel before the recent increase to avert the protest .

“ Again, the National Secretariat has not given any counter-order to say we should not proceed with the protest /strike .

“ The last order I know is that we have to go ahead with the strike and it is that order we are working on . The government should immediately revert to the old price of petrol before these increases, ” he maintained .