Fuel price, electricity tariff hikes

80 organisations which include the Trade Union Congress and 79 other civil society organisations and labour unions are planning to stage a protest over the increase in fuel price and electricity tariff hike.

The organisations which are under the aegis of the Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond codenamed ASCAB, are set to hold the nationwide protests and strike action next week.

We gathered that the Nigeria Labour Congress, which is part of ASCAB, held a meeting as of Friday evening to determine its next line of action.

Mr Femi Falana (SAN), Human Rights Lawyer, confirmed the development. He said that it was evil of the government to increase the prices of essential commodities during a pandemic.

He pointed out that while other countries were making life easier for their citizens through tax cuts and palliatives, the Nigerian government was doing the exact opposite.

The activist said,

“There is going to be a general strike and protest. We will fix a date after a meeting this evening.

ASCAB is meeting today (Friday) with TUC leadership and about 79 others have indicated that they will take part in the national day of action against these anti-people developments.

It will be next week but the date has not been picked yet.

Other nations are giving cash to their citizens, cancelling rents but Nigeria is imposing taxes and all other levies on its citizens. We will fight against it.”