TUC threatens to direct members to sit at home if petrol scarcity persists

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has threatened to stop its members from going to work if the lingering petrol scarcity is not addressed.

The discovery of petrol with methanol above Nigeria’s specification had caused scarcity and resulted in long queues in filling stations across the country.

Mohammad Yunusa, TUC treasurer, while speaking with journalists on Sunday, asked the federal government to identify and punish those behind the scarcity.

“We will soon direct workers to stop going to work if the challenge of fuel scarcity across the country persists for the next few days,” he said.

“The congress also demanded that President Muhammadu Buhari should swing into action by identifying and punishing those who caused the scarcity that has brought untold hardship upon Nigerians.

“The union’s position is very clear. Those who caused this scarcity should be identified and punished very well.

“The position of SSASCGOC … is workers should stop going to work until there is enough fuel to take them to work.

“This is the way to do it. We are waiting for our centre to respond to our position but our position in SSASCGOC is that there is no need to go to work and when there is regular supply, then we will start going to work.”

Earlier on Sunday, the federal government had said it was looking for a lasting solution to the scarcity — and called on Nigerians to be patient.