The debate on the planned removal of fuel subsidy in Nigeria is heating up, with different unions in the petroleum industry expressing divergent views on the matter. While the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has called for the removal of subsidy and the speedy rehabilitation of Nigeria’s refineries, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas workers (NUPENG) and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) have taken opposing positions.
NUPENG has called for the suspension of subsidy removal, saying that the government has not provided the required factors for the move. The union’s National Executive Council is set to meet to decide its position on the matter. NUPENG’s National President, Williams Akporeha, said that the union’s position is aligned with that of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on the subsidy debate.
On the other hand, IPMAN has expressed support for sustaining the subsidy until President Buhari hands over in May 2023. However, the association noted that the government did not provide the factors required for subsidy removal.
The debate has raised concerns among Nigerians who fear that the removal of subsidy could lead to a significant increase in the price of petrol, which could further worsen the economic situation in the country. The government has not yet made a formal announcement on the matter.
It is important to note that Nigeria is a major oil producer, but the country has been importing petrol due to the poor state of its refineries. The government has been subsidizing petrol to keep the price at a reasonable level for consumers, but the subsidy has been a significant burden on the country’s finances.
As the debate continues, it remains to be seen what position the unions will take and what decision the government will make on the matter. The Nigerian people are watching with bated breath to see how this will affect their daily lives and the economy at large.