By Hussein Olanrewaju
Joe Ajearo, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has openly criticized the ongoing clash between the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, attributing the turmoil to alleged government policy inconsistencies and fraudulent activities by certain vested interests.
Speaking to journalists at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal II in Lagos on Wednesday, Ajearo condemned the regulatory interference in a supposedly deregulated market. “In a deregulated economy, there should be choices and competition,” he asserted, questioning the rationale behind dictating the selling price for Dangote’s locally produced products.
Ajearo lambasted the government’s stance, labeling it as fraudulent. “For a product produced here without the need for dollars or landing costs, demanding it be sold at the same price as imported products is fraudulent and unacceptable,” he stated.
The NLC President highlighted the broader implications of such actions, pointing to a policy reversal that undermines the principles of deregulation. “Nigerians were led to believe that deregulation would foster competition and consumer choice. So, why is there an attempt to regulate Dangote’s pricing?” he questioned.
Ajearo proposed a competitive market once the Port Harcourt refinery becomes operational, allowing both NNPC and Dangote to set their prices independently. “When you regulate Dangote’s prices, it contradicts the very essence of deregulation,” he emphasized.
Calling on Nigerians to raise their voices, Ajearo reminded them of the original promise that deregulation would let the private sector steer the economy, reducing government intervention in business. He condemned the regulatory approach as deceptive, especially for locally produced goods. “Expecting Dangote to sell at the same rate as imported products, despite the absence of landing costs, is fundamentally fraudulent,” he concluded.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
