Reps back increase in fuel price – It’s unfortunate –Labour – As fire guts NNPC Lagos depot – Tribune
November 18, 2009 by Bunmi Awolusi
The House of Representatives, on Tuesday, formally declared support for the planned deregulation of the downstream sector by the Umaru Yar’Adua administration, arguing that it was aimed at breaking the cartel that had benefitted hugely from N1.45 trillion subsidy that government expended between 2006 and now.
But the organised labour, led by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), has consistently maintained that deregulation would head to increase in the price of fuel.
The House, which made its decision known while passing a motion sponsored by Minority Leader, Honourable Muhammed Ali Ndume, also said the policy, when fully operational, would make fuel available and affordable, as it happened in the communication industry concerning call tariffs.
