NLC Demands FG’s Intervention Over Fuel Hike, Tax Relief For Low-Income Earners

NLC demands FG’s intervention over Fuel Hike, tax relief for low-income earners. Mr Ajaero said the rising cost of petrol had worsened the hardship faced by Nigerian workers.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called for government’s intervention to address the surge in petrol prices between N1,170 and N1,300 per litre across the country.

The demand was contained in a statement signed by the President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, on Thursday.

Mr Ajaero said the rising cost of petrol had worsened the hardship faced by Nigerian workers, particularly in transportation, food prices and general cost of living.

He stated, “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.

“The rising cost of fuel has made transportation increasingly unaffordable for workers, while food prices and other essential commodities continue to surge beyond the reach of ordinary Nigerians.

“The government must urgently introduce measures, including wage support and cost-of-living relief, to cushion the devastating impact of the current fuel price crisis on workers and vulnerable citizens.”

The NLC boss urged the Federal Government to introduce immediate relief measures, including wage support and policies to cushion the impact of the price increase on workers and vulnerable citizens.

Mr Ajaero said the current situation had exposed the vulnerability of Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector to global market volatility.

He stressed the need for the government to ensure that public refineries in the country become fully operational to reduce dependence on imported petroleum products.

According to him, reviving the nation’s refineries will help stabilise domestic supply and shield Nigerians from sudden price shocks.

The NLC president also called for tax relief for low-income earners and expanded social support programmes for vulnerable Nigerians.

NLC Demands FG’s Intervention Over Fuel Hike

He said such measures would help cushion the harsh economic realities confronting workers and their families.

Mr Ajaero further urged the government to ensure transparency in the management of expected oil revenue gains arising from current global developments.

He noted that any windfall from rising crude oil prices should be channelled toward improving the welfare of Nigerians.

He also called for sincere dialogue between government and organised labour to address the growing economic challenges facing workers.

President Tinubu Mourns Soldiers, Civilians K1lled By Terrorists In Borno Community

President Tinubu mourns soldiers, civilians k1lled by terrorists in Borno community. He described the attack as “a heartless assault on innocent citizens”.

President Bola Tinubu has expressed heartfelt condolences to families of victims of the recent terrorist attack on Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno.

This is contained in a statement issued by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, on Friday in Abuja.

The president’s condolences followed an attack by Boko Haram insurgents on the community in the North-East state.

Mr Tinubu mourned the loss of innocent lives, including military personnel and civilians caught in friendly fire during the aerial interdiction of fleeing terrorists by the Air Force.

He described the attack as “a heartless assault on innocent citizens”.

“The attack by terrorists on helpless citizens is deeply saddening,” the president said.

He urged residents of Borno and other parts of the country not to succumb to fear.

Mr Tinubu commended the military for its swift response, which led to the killing of several terrorists and forced others to retreat.

Tinubu

“The swift response of our gallant troops demonstrates their resolve to defend the nation and protect innocent lives,” he said.

The president directed the military and other security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue those abducted during the attack.

He also charged the armed forces to strengthen measures to protect civilians and prevent further attacks on military installations in the North-East.

Mr Tinubu prayed for the souls of those who lost their lives in the attack and the friendly fire incident.

He also extended his sympathies to the bereaved families and Borno State government.

President Tinubu Inaugurates Committee To Oversee Grid Asset Company Incorporation As FEC Approves Establishment

President Tinubu inaugurates committee to oversee grid asset company incorporation as FEC approves establishment. President Bola Tinubu has constituted an 11-member committee to facilitate the seamless incorporation of the Grid Asset Management Company (GAMCO) Limited.

In a statement on Friday, Bayo Onanuga, presidential spokesperson, said the committee was constituted following the federal executive council’s (FEC) approval for the establishment of the company at its Wednesday meeting.

According to the statement, the committee will be chaired by Femi Gbajabiamila, chief of staff to the president.

Members include the attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice, as well as the ministers of power, works, and finance.

Other members are the ministers of communications and digital economy; science, technology and innovation; and aviation and aerospace development.

The minister of state for petroleum, the chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), and Yemi Oke, a professor and energy expert, are also part of the committee.

John Ezeamama, permanent secretary of the cabinet affairs office, will serve as the committee’s secretary.

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“In proposing GAMCO, President Tinubu hopes to fast-track a quick-fix solution to the endemic problems of stranded power, grid management and transmission in the country’s electricity sector,” the presidency said.

Gbajabiamila, who conducted the inauguration on behalf of the president, said the company is designed to optimise and transform power generation, with a particular focus on the grid and transmission sectors.

He urged committee members to align with the president’s vision in establishing GAMCO and to adhere strictly to the committee’s mandate.

Gbajabiamila added that the committee will carry out a comprehensive review of existing laws, regulations, policies, and institutional frameworks governing the entire electricity value chain, including generation, transmission, distribution, and market operations.

FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMITTEE

According to the statement, the committee will examine the implications of the Electricity Reform Laws (2025) and associated unbundling arrangements on asset ownership, management, and regulatory oversight.

“It will identify areas of conflict, overlap, or inconsistency between the proposed GAMCO framework and extant legal and regulatory instruments,” the statement reads.

“The committee will also assess the legal status, ownership structure, and contractual obligations of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) and National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) assets, including the Omotosho, Olorunshogo, and Ihovbor plants, which GAMCO plans to use for its pilot phase.

“It will evaluate the interface between GAMCO’s proposed mandate and the statutory functions of the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission, and determine the fiscal, financial, and market implications of the proposal, including subsidy exposure, market liquidity, and revenue frameworks.”

The presidency said the committee will assess if GAMCO’s setup requires changes to laws, subsidy rules, or executive directives.

ABOUT THE PROPOSED GAMCO

According to the statement, the GAMCO aims to recover and optimise stranded power generation using the Benin-Lagos transmission corridor as a pilot phase.

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Onanuga said the initiative will address Nigeria’s power sector challenges, adding that the federal government will fully own GAMCO as a commercial venture, with the shares held by the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI).

He said the company will modernise transmission evacuation, starting from the most critical axis within Nigeria’s power system.

“The Benin-Lagos transmission corridor evacuates bulk power supply to Ogun and Lagos states, Nigeria’s largest industrial and commercial centres,” the spokesperson said.

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“The pilot phase will focus on optimising power output from the Omotosho, Olorunsogo and Ihovbor National Integrated Power Plants (NIPP plants). Omotoso’s installed capacity is 513MW, Olorunsogo’s 754 MW, and Ihovbor’s 508 MW.

“GAMCO projects to recover at least 1,600 MW within 18-24 months, alongside the development of a new high-capacity 330V+ double-circuit transmission line along the same corridor.”

He also said if the new company succeeds in the pilot phase, it will create a scalable model for other plants and corridors, forming the foundation

“At present, substantial Federal Government investment in NIPP generation assets remains under-optimised due to operational inefficiencies and transmission evacuation bottlenecks, resulting in stranded capacity and suboptimal return on public capital,” Onanuga said.

“GAMCO plans to unlock the stranded power of the three selected NIPP and develop a parallel high-capacity transmission corridor along the Benin-Lagos axis, thus translating underperforming national assets into reliably delivered megawatts.”

As proposed, he said the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) will grant GAMCO the concession and lease arrangements for the three plants.

Onanuga said the TCN will also grant GAMCO the right to develop, finance, and operate a greenfield 330 kilovolt+ (KV) double-circuit independent power transmission line along the identified corridor.