5% Fuel Consumption Tax: TUC Issues 14-Day Strike Notice

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has firmly opposed the Federal Government’s proposed 5% tax on petroleum products, labeling the plan as a “reckless act of economic wickedness.”

Last week, the Federal Government revealed that the fuel tax, which has been in place previously, will be reinstated on a date to be specified by the Minister of Finance.

In defense of the tax, Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, stated that the revenue generated from the tax would be allocated to provide consistent funding for road projects and address the nation’s infrastructure deficits.

However, in a joint statement issued today, September 8, TUC President Festus Osifo and General Secretary Nuhu Toro emphasized that Nigerians are already overwhelmed by numerous taxes. The TUC has demanded that the government retract the proposal within 14 days, threatening to paralyze critical sectors across the country if the government does not comply.

The labour leaders, who deemed the new tax unacceptable, argued that Nigerians should not be treated as sacrificial lambs once again, stating that all Congress affiliates have been placed on high alert.

“This reckless proposal is nothing but an act of economic wickedness against already overburdened Nigerians.

Let it be clear: workers and citizens are still reeling from the pains of subsidy removal, skyrocketing fuel prices, food inflation, and a collapsing naira.

To now introduce another levy on petroleum products is to deliberately compound suffering, cripple businesses, and push millions of citizens deeper into poverty.

Government cannot continue to use Nigerians as sacrificial lambs for its economic experiments. Instead of offering relief, jobs, and solutions, it has chosen to further squeeze citizens dry. This is unacceptable!

The TUC, hereby, urge the Federal Government to immediately stop this anti-people’s plan in its entirety. Failure to do so will leave us with no option but to mobilize Nigerian workers and the masses for a total nationwide resistance.”

Pledging to oppose the tax’s implementation, the Congress further stated:

“Strike action is firmly on the table if government dares to ignore this warning and go ahead to implement this policy.

“Accordingly, the TUC directs all its state councils, affiliates, and structures nationwide to remain vigilant, watchful and wait for further communication that may cumulate into a decisive action should government dare to further ignore the collective will of the people.

“We also call on our allies, civil society organizations, professional bodies, student unions, market associations, faith leaders, and all patriotic Nigerians to stand in solidarity with us in this struggle. Together, we must resist policies that seek to further impoverish citizens and mortgage our future. Enough is enough. Nigerians deserve economic justice, not endless punishment.” the union said.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli