TUC wants FG to halt sale of refineries

President of Trade Union Congress of Nigeria(TUC),Comrade Bobboi Kaigama, has called on the Federal government to halt the proposed sale of the nation’s refineries until all conditions have been met for their privatisation.

He gave the advice in a paper titled: “The Press and Labour in the Era of Privatisation,” he presented at the capacity building programme of the Labour Writers Association of Nigeria (LAWAN), which held in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, weekend.

He implored the Federal government to get the nation’s refineries repaired and functional at full capacity as well as build new ones.

He said private investors and other interested parties should be encouraged to build their own refineries.

He said: “Learning from the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) example, we advise that government should not abdicate its social responsibilities by selling off everything that delivers services to the people. That would be unwarranted, especially in a country where poverty and unemployment have become endemic, coupled with the collapse of industries.’’

He advised the National Assembly to pass the Petroleum Industry Bill in order to make it operational for the good of the petroleum industry and Nigerians.