Nigerian Labor Congress (NLC) has decried fuel scarcity and scarcity of the newly redesigned naira notes across the country saying the scarcity, may stop the 2023 general elections from holding as scheduled.
National President of NLC, Comrade Ayuba Waba, who spoke at the 13th NLC National Delegates Conference held at the International Conference Center, Abuja, Tuesday, said it is unacceptable that many Nigerians can no longer access their money lodged at the banks.
He said it is shameful that Nigeria, being a member of OPEC, cannot make fuel available for the use of the common masses.
“This conference is taking place at a time whereby many Nigerians have been pushed to the wall and queuing up endlessly at banks to access new currency notes and queuing at fuel stations. This is definitely unacceptable because we have more than enough to address these challenges. We are a main oil producing country and a member of OPEC, but we are still importing.
“Secondly, we don’t understand the rational, you lodge your money at the banks but you are limited from withdrawing it. No economy in the world has practiced such an economic model. If this two policies are not addressed within the shortest possible time, nobody can predict the outcome
“We have seen a situation whereby people are protesting nude at the bank because they want to access their money and they cannot access the money, there is a theory that the coming election may not take place in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility.
“We must have smooth transition because we fought for democracy and we must continue to enjoy democracy,” he said
The conference, tagged ‘Building People’s Power, National Unity and Quest for a New Social Contract’ had Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as Special Guest of Honor, while the Minister of Labour, Dr Chris Ngige, Comrade Adams Oshiomole, were among the dignitaries present.