The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to urgently implement measures that would ease the growing economic hardship faced by Nigerians following the sharp increase in petrol prices across the country.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, said the surge in the pump price of petrol to between N1,170 and N1,300 per litre had further worsened the cost-of-living crisis affecting workers and ordinary citizens.

Ajaero noted that the rising cost of petrol had significantly driven up transportation fares, food prices and the cost of other essential commodities, making daily life increasingly difficult for Nigerian workers.

According to him, the latest increase in fuel prices has compounded the economic pressures already confronting households across the country.

“The sudden increase in petrol price to between N1,170 and N1,300 per litre has further deepened the economic hardship faced by Nigerian workers and the general populace,” he said.

He added that transportation had become increasingly unaffordable for workers, while the prices of food and other basic necessities continued to rise beyond the reach of many Nigerians.

The labour leader therefore called on the government to urgently introduce relief measures to cushion the impact of the fuel price hike.

He specifically recommended the introduction of wage support and cost-of-living relief policies to support workers and vulnerable citizens struggling with the rising cost of living.

Ajaero also noted that the development had exposed the vulnerability of Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector to fluctuations in the global oil market.

To address the challenge, he stressed the need for the government to ensure that the country’s public refineries become fully operational in order to reduce reliance on imported petroleum products.

According to him, reviving local refining capacity would help stabilise domestic fuel supply and protect Nigerians from sudden price shocks.

The NLC president further urged the government to provide tax relief for low-income earners and expand social support programmes targeted at vulnerable groups.

He said such interventions would help mitigate the harsh economic realities currently faced by workers and their families.

Ajaero also called for greater transparency in the management of expected oil revenue gains resulting from current developments in the global crude oil market.

He maintained that any windfall generated from rising crude oil prices should be channelled into programmes that directly improve the welfare and living conditions of Nigerians.

The labour leader equally emphasised the importance of sincere dialogue between the government and organised labour in addressing the country’s growing economic challenges.

He noted that constructive engagement would help develop sustainable solutions capable of protecting workers and stabilising the economy.