The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to resolve the twin problems of naira and petrol scarcities.
In a statement signed by its President, Festus Osifo and General Secretary, Nuhu Toro, TUC said: “We demand that the Federal Government within seven days, beginning from Tuesday, provides a solution to the twin problems of currency unavailability and fuel shortages.”
TUC maintained that it is not interested in the blame game going on in government and political circles, neither is it fascinated by the endless promises and assurances made by government that the situation will soon be brought under control.
If N200, N500 and N1,000 are not in circulation because they are redesigned, TUC wondered why N100 and N50 noted that are not redesigned are equally not in circulation.
It argued that the lengthy explanations on why there are long queues at fuel stations and prices of PMS being far above the official price can no longer be tolerated.
TUC said all state council executives are put on red alert and the union’s leadership would be monitoring the situation closely to give further directives should the situation not improve.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Tuesday said the Federal Government is pushing workers to the wall, saying the level of hardship created by fuel and naira scarcity will no longer be tolerated.
The NLC said it was restraining itself from taking drastic steps that may sabotage the February 2023 general elections. The congress’ outgoing president, Ayuba Wabba, said this during the NLC 13th National Delegates’ Conference held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.
Speaking on the development, the labour leader said, “This conference is taking place at a time when many Nigerians and workers are being pushed to the wall or into chaotic situations in our banks and filling stations.
“Nigerians are queuing up endlessly to assess the new currency notes and PMS. This is certainly not acceptable, and it is condemnable.
“We have more than enough to actually address those two issues. First, we are a major oil producing country. And therefore we are the only country in the world that is a member of OPEC that still depends on importation.
“Secondly, we don’t understand the rationale that you lodge your money in your bank account and you are limited from withdrawing what you want to use. No economy in the world has practiced this economic model.
“People forget that our economy is rural and informal, and therefore people need to transact business in cash. Go to our local markets, our commodity markets; you will see people transacting business actually in cash.
“These policies if not addressed within the shortest possible time, nobody can predict what will be the outcome.”
Wabba called for swift intervention to address the situation, lamenting that those living in cities such as Abuja, are now forced to send money from their limited funds, to friends and relations in the villages.