By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The Revolutionary Socialist Movement (RSM) has hailed the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for taking the courageous step to advance the struggle beyond fruitless meetings and dialogue with the Federal Government of Nigeria.

It called on the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to also join the nationwide strike, saying that government has proved that their ‘consultation was a farce.

While saying that a general strike and mass protests are the necessary course of action, it stressed that since the inauguration of President Bola Tinubu on May 29, 2023, the situation for the Nigerian masses has worsened significantly.

A statement signed by the group’s Publicity Secretary, Comrade Salako Kayode, reads in part: “The hyperinflation is inflicting damage to the lives of working people every day. Meanwhile, the ruling class and their political appointees are enjoying extravagant perks, funded by taxpayers’ money.

“President Tinubu’s implementation of anti-poor policies has further plunged the country into chaos. The removal of subsidy on PMS resulted in an increase in the pump price from 195 to 540 and a subsequent rise to N617 per litre. If left unchecked, PMS prices will continue to soar.

“The Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress should be in the forefront of the struggle to stop this destructive course. All the funds of the unions must be channeled to organise this struggle. The excessive pay of political officeholders and the allocation of funds for buying cars for them must be halted at once!

“We must also resist any attempt to deceive the unions with court orders. The Federal /has abused the dialogue process by unilaterally increasing fuel prices while discussions with labour representatives were ongoing. This decision aligns with the instructions and recommendations of imperialists like the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, IMF.

“The capitalist politicians’ pursuit of ‘more profit’ fuels anti-poor policies, perpetuating poverty among the majority while enriching themselves.

“The increase in fuel pump prices has made transportation difficult for ordinary people and has left many small businesses relying on PMS struggling. Some have even lost their sources of income due to this policy.

“Nigeria’s dependence on buying refined petroleum products at international market prices, along with additional costs like refining abroad, freight, insurance, transportation, taxes, and demurrage, further inflate the price per liter. The devaluation of the Naira further enhances this process.”

The group said that to address the anomaly, a fight against corruption in subsidy payment, refurbish existing refineries, and build new ones must be embarked upon.

It alleged that the Dangote Refinery, being profit-driven, will not solve the problem as it will sell at international market prices.

The group added: “In the long run, we must move away from fossil fuels and invest on the prospect of renewables, built in a way to serve the interests of ordinary working people and not the energy lobby.

“The unions must also warn the FG against any attempt to increase electricity tariffs. The privatization of the power sector in 2013 has led to erratic power supply and increased costs for Nigerians. The unions must demand complete renationalization of the power and energy sectors under the democratic control and management of the working people.

“Moving forward, union leaders must prepare to build strike committees across the country and call on all working people to participate to make the strike actions effective. The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) need to enforce the strike by stopping all transport movement on the days of the strike.

“The Maritime and Air worker’s union must ensure total compliance to send a clear message to the Federal Government to reverse all anti-people policies. The unions should seek support from Nigeria Medical Doctors and halt all activities in hospitals during the strike. On the day of the strike everything must stop working! This is the only way to push the government and the capitalists, who will both suffer huge losses.

“The RSM will stand in solidarity with all workers and Nigerian people protesting against the neo-liberal policies of the Tinubu government. We oppose the removal of subsidy – the corruption in the oil sector will not be addressed this way. Corruption is endemic in Nigerian capitalism, and will find ways to fill the capitalists’ pockets, with or without the subsidy.”

The group opined that since the oil sector especially, suffers massive corruption, a serious government should tackle the issue rather than subjecting ordinary people to untold hardship.

“Labour leaders must be prepared to not back down until reversal of the hiked PMS price . They must put forward a strike plan with successive strikes and protests, involving the working class in a determined struggle.

“Sadly, union leaders do not seem ready to be engaged in such a fight. The handing over of the Labour party ticket to Peter Obi, a capitalist politician who stated he does not believe in the NLC Charter of demands, is a testament to this.

“We must struggle for the success of this strike and until victory. The most conscious layers of workers must also be engaged in building a fighting political alternative formation which will strive for political power based on a socialist program. This is the only way to get rid of the chronic problems of Nigeria and live a life of freedom and prosperity,” RSM stated.

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