▪︎Queues at a NNPCL filling station in Lagos
EMPLOYERS in the Nigerian private sector have warned that the recent hike in petrol prices will causes huge layoffs across industries in the economy.
The private sector employers include the members of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA)., Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry ( LCCI) and Nigerian Employers Consultative Association (NECA), among others.
Reacting to the latest price hike, the National President of NACCIMA, Dele Kelvin Oye, expressed concerns over the recent increase in the pump price of petrol to over N800 per litre at NNPC filling stations across the country.
“While we understand the complex factors that can influence fuel prices, such as global oil market dynamics and exchange rate fluctuations, we are troubled by the lack of prior notice and clear explanations provided by the government and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPC, regarding this development.
“The timing of this price hike is particularly concerning as it has the potential to further exacerbate the impact on businesses and consumers, especially the vulnerable segments of the population and those on fixed incomes, who are still adjusting to the recent increase in the national minimum wage.”
“NACCIMA calls on government and NNPC to engage in constructive dialogue with relevant stakeholders, including the organized private sector and labour unions, to address concerns raised about this price increase and its potential effects on the economy.
“We are particularly interested in understanding the reported conditions that may have been agreed upon during the minimum wage negotiations, and how the current development aligns with those understandings. Maintaining trust and credibility in the government’s economic policies is crucial for fostering a conducive business environment and promoting inclusive growth,” said Oye.
The Director -General of LCCI, Dr Chinyere Almona, said: “The impact on businesses will be severe, with fuel prices affecting supply and logistics, power generation, transportation, and factory operations.
The cost of doing business will skyrocket, prices of goods will rise, and some firms may shut down due to low demand in the face of weakening consumer purchasing power. Of course, this will be followed by job losses.
LCCI advocates for a more sustainable approach. Supporting the development of additional local refineries to process our crude for local consumption and potential export across Africa is the way forward. This long-term strategy is crucial for the stability and growth of our economy.”
On its part, the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association, NECA, faulted the new price, saying it will inflict more pain on Nigerians and contribute to the increase in the cost of doing business.
The Director-General of NECA, Wale-Smatt Oyerinde, also reacted and pleaded with the government to rethink and do all that is necessary to address the continuous impoverishment of Nigerians and incapacitation of organized businesses.
He said “The new pump price of petrol is not only worrisome but also unfair. We had expected that the government would leverage the momentum created by the completion of the Dangote refinery and the planned commencement of operation of the Port-Harcourt refinery to clear the obvious self-inflicted pain on Nigerians and progressively reduce the pump price of petrol. This seems not to be the case.
“This new pump price could be seen as making Nigerians pay for the crass inefficiency in the NNPC. Rather than address the fundamentals that have made Nigeria a net importer of petrol, even when we have four refineries, the Government continues to inflict pain on Nigerians and inadvertently, contributing to the increase in the cost of doing business.
“We urge that Government should have a rethink and do all that is necessary to address the continuous impoverishment of Nigerians and incapacitation of organized businesses.”