Use recovered loots to build new refineries, NLC tells Buhari

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) rose from its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Lagos, at the weekend, and called on President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that all moneys recovered from treasury looters should be invested in building new refineries and revamping the existing ones.
In a communique issued after the NEC meeting, the congress officially rejected the attempt to remove fuel subsidy through the back doors ''in form of price modulation," and vowed to fully engage the government in partnership with other stakeholders, particularly its Civil Society allies.
"All moneys recovered from looters of our national treasury should be invested in building new refineries and revamping the existing ones. Our refineries must be made to work to optimal capacity in order to meet local need;" the communique, signed by the NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, and the General Secretary, Comrade Peter Ozo-Eson, said.
Besides, the congress said Nigerians should not be made to suffer for the sins of those who mismanaged the economy by way of imposing higher prices through subsidy withdrawal and other anti-people policies.
The congress regretted that in spite of government's promise to Nigerians that it would not remove subsidy on petroleum products, government is attempting to remove subsidy through the back doors in the form of price modulation.
The communique read: "Congress rejects attempts to remove subsidy on petroleum product, noting that it is illegal and unjustifiable, as due process is not being followed.
"Congress said subsidy removal will not add any value to the economy. Rather, it will create more hardship for Nigerians, especially the poor and the weak."
It said the congress had resolved to embark on an immediate programme of  sensitisation and mobilisation of Nigerians across the country for a better Nigeria; work with and engage in struggle in partnership with all the stakeholders, particularly the Civil Society allies.
The congress also resolved to commence the process of strategic sensitisation and advocacy through the publication of the papers presented at its stakeholders meeting, which was earlier held before the NEC meeting on the removal of subsidy on petroleum products.
It also said it would engage government based on the information availed to it on this subject matter.