The Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has criticised the proposed N5 petrol levy proposed by the Senate.

The bill which is expected to be debated next week, recommends that Nigerians should pay N5 levy on every litre of imported petroleum products and that levy will form part of the proposed national roads fund.

It also recommends the deduction of 0.5 per cent on fares paid by passengers travelling on interstate roads to commercial mass transit operators as well as the return of toll gates on federal roads, among others.

However it has been met with widespread condemnation.

Tokunbo Korodo, the South-West Chairman of NUPENG, said in Lagos on Saturday that the proposal was ill-timed and showed a lack of sensitivity on the part of the Senate.

He said, “How can the Senate propose such a bill at this particular period when poor Nigerians canhardly feed themselves?

“The prices of foodstuffs have tripled in the market, while workers’ salary has not been increased.

Korede also warned that NUPENG will fight off any attempt to increase pump prices.

“Just a year ago, the pump price of petrol was increased from N87 to N145 per litre and Nigerians accepted the increment because of the sincerity of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

“Any attempt to adjust the price of petrol under any guise will be resisted by the Organised Labour.” (TV360 Nigeria)

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