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The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has strongly condemned the Federal Government’s plan to reintroduce a 5% tax on petroleum products, describing the move as a “reckless display of economic wickedness” against Nigerians already grappling with hardship.

The Federal Government had last week announced that the fuel levy, which had previously existed, would soon be reintroduced, with Finance Minister expected to disclose the implementation date. Defending the move, Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, explained that the tax was intended to fund road projects and address infrastructure deficits across the country.

But in a joint statement issued on September 8, TUC President Festus Osifo and Secretary-General Nuhu Toro rejected the proposal, insisting that Nigerians were already overtaxed and overburdened. The union gave the government 14 days to withdraw the plan or face crippling industrial action.

“This reckless proposal is nothing short of economic wickedness,” the statement read. “Workers and citizens are still suffering from the pains of subsidy removal, skyrocketing fuel prices, food inflation, and the free fall of the naira. Introducing another levy on petroleum products will only worsen poverty, cripple businesses, and compound the suffering of millions.”

The labour body warned that all its affiliates had been placed on standby for a total shutdown of critical sectors should the government go ahead with the plan.

TUC further urged civil society groups, student unions, market associations, professional bodies, faith leaders, and all Nigerians to unite in resisting the “anti-people policy.”

“Strike action is firmly on the table if government dares to ignore this warning,” the statement concluded. “Enough is enough. Nigerians deserve relief and economic justice, not endless punishment.”

TUC Blasts FG Over Proposed 5% Fuel Tax, Threatens Nationwide Strike

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