The Nigeria Labour Congress has called on the Federal Government to urgently introduce measures to cushion the impact of rising petrol prices, including wage awards for workers and the sale of crude oil to local refineries in naira.

NLC President, Joe Ajaero, made the demands in a statement titled “Save the Situation Now,” warning that the latest increase in petrol prices would further worsen the economic hardship facing Nigerians.

Petrol is currently selling for about N1,430 per litre in major cities, with prices reportedly higher in areas where distribution is more difficult.

Ajaero said the increase in transportation costs would have a ripple effect on the prices of food, school fees, rent and other essential goods and services.

He argued that Nigeria, as an oil-producing country with growing domestic refining capacity, should have measures to protect citizens from international oil market shocks.

The NLC president urged the Federal Government to provide reasonable wage awards to workers, sell sufficient crude oil in naira to local refineries and expand national petroleum storage capacity to strengthen energy security.

He also said government intervention, including subsidies, should not be ruled out during an emergency.

“There is nothing wrong with the government subsidising the needs of citizens, especially in emergency situations like this,” Ajaero said.

The labour union further claimed that the Federal Government was benefiting from higher international crude prices, with oil selling about $35 to $40 per barrel above the benchmark used in the national budget.

According to the NLC, the additional revenue should provide room for measures to cushion Nigerians from the effects of rising fuel prices.

The union also expressed concern over the reported importation of crude by some local refineries, describing the development as contrary to the objective of building domestic refining capacity.

Ajaero warned that the continued rise in petrol prices would place additional pressure on workers, households and businesses if urgent steps were not taken.