The abrupt elimination of fuel subsidy by the Nigerian government has prompted the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) to order its members to stop work across the country.
The NUEE advised its members to follow the order and stop work from Wednesday in a notice that was signed by Dominic Igwebike, the organization’s acting general secretary.
In his inaugural address, President Bola Tinubu proclaimed that the petroleum subsidy scheme would end because it was unsustainable.
Following the news, the NNPCL on Wednesday instructed all of its shops to sell petrol for between N480 and N570 per litre, an increase of about 200 percent from the initial price.
In response to the news, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) declared that if the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) does not change the new oil pricing regime by Wednesday 7th June, 2023, it will stage a statewide demonstration.
In a letter to its members responding to the sudden removal of the fuel subsidy, which it claimed caused untold hardship for Nigerians and increased inflation in the economy, the NUEE said its decision was a result of the NLC emergency national executive council (NEC) meeting held on June 2 at the Labour House in Abuja.
On Saturday, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) threatened to join the strike on that day as well.
“To this effect, all national, state, and chapter executives are requested to start the mobilization of our members in total compliance with this directive,” the statement said.
“Please note that the withdrawal of services nationwide commences from 0.00 hours of Wednesday, June 7, 2023.
“You are encouraged to work with the leadership of State Executive Councils (SEC) of the Congress in your various states with a view to having a successful action,” the letter said.
