Workers in Ondo state have kicked against the steep increase in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), known as petrol, by the federal government led by President Bola Tinubu.

The workers described the increase in the pump price as “wicked” weeks after a similar exercise was announced without any attendant palliative measures for the already pauperised workers.

Rising from an emergency meeting in Akure on Wednesday night, the workers, through the organised labour, specifically kicked against the action of the government and expressed worries at the president’s insensitivity to the plight of the “common man.”

In a communique issued by leaders of the organised labour in the state, comprising of the NLC/TUC/JNC, the workers said they joined the “well-meaning Nigerians to condemn in strong terms this wicked action of government as it is absolutely beyond the reach of the majority of our people.”

A copy of the communique signed by the NLC chairman, Victor Amoko, secretary, Amos Sunday, TUC chairman, Clement Fatuase, secretary, Gideon Bakare, JNC chairman, Ademola Adeniji and secretary, Adeleye Foluke Esther, was obtained by Peoples Gazette on Thursday.

The workers, in the communique, resolved that the Ondo government should, as a matter of urgency, roll out palliatives for the workers and masses of the state to ease the agonies inflicted as a result of the hike in the price of PMS.

“All outstanding salaries and allowances owed the workers of the State should be paid immediately.

“That any committee on palliatives set up by the State Government without the input of Ondo State Organised Labour would be outrightly rejected.

“The meeting sympathises with the workers and masses of our dear State and calls for calm and await further directives,” they added in the communique.

Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, had attributed the rise in petrol pump rice in the country to market forces, saying that the increase was not based on a short supply of fuel.

Mr Kyari said, “They are just prices depending on the market realities. This is the meaning of making sure that the market regulates itself. Prices will go up and sometimes they will come down also.

“No, there is no supply issue. It is not a supply issue. When you go to the market, you buy the product, you come to the market and sell it at its prevailing market price. It has nothing to do with supply. We don’t have supply issues.”

Many Nigerians have continued to kick against the government of Mr Tinubu, who announced the removal of fuel subsidy on May 29 without providing palliatives to cushion the effect.