By Uzair Adam
The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has rejected the Federal Government’s plan to impose a 5% tax on petroleum products, describing the move as a “reckless act of economic wickedness.”
In a joint statement, TUC President Festus Osifo and Secretary General Nuhu Toro warned that the proposal would worsen the hardships already faced by Nigerians, many of whom are still grappling with the impact of fuel subsidy removal, soaring inflation, and the weakening naira.
They accused the government of deliberately compounding the suffering of citizens instead of providing relief, jobs, and economic stability.“Introducing another levy on petroleum products is to cripple businesses and push millions of Nigerians deeper into poverty.”
“Government cannot continue to use Nigerians as sacrificial lambs for its economic experiments. This is unacceptable,” the statement read.
The Federal Government had earlier defended the proposed tax, explaining that it would provide sustainable funding for road projects and help close the country’s infrastructure gaps.
Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, noted that similar measures are already in place in more than 150 countries.
But the TUC has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the government to withdraw the plan or face nationwide industrial action.
“The TUC urges the Federal Government to immediately stop this anti-people’s plan in its entirety. “Failure to do so will leave us with no option but to mobilize Nigerian workers and the masses for total nationwide resistance,” the union warned.