The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) on Thursday rejected plans by the Federal Government to toll selected federal roads in the country, as part of measures to boost public revenue.
The TUC also kicked against any attempt to increase telecom tariffs, saying it will compound the present economic hardship Nigerians are facing.
President of TUC, Festus Osifo while presiding over the 1st Quarter 2025 National Administrative Council (NAC) of the Union in Abuja, condemned reintroduction of toll gates on some federal highways, most of which are unpaved, dilapidated, and riddled with potholes.
Osifo, who blamed the hardship in the country on the government’s policies like the floatation of the naira, wondered why government should initiate policies without due consultations with relevant stakeholders.
A communique issued at the end of the meeting partly read: “NAC deliberated on the proposed introduction of toll gates on selected federal roads and strongly condemned it in its entirely. While we acknowledge that tolling is a globally recognized method of generating revenue for road maintenance, it is unacceptable to impose tolls on roads that are unpaved, dilapidated, and riddled with potholes.
“The NAC views this as an insult to Nigerians, who are being asked to pay tolls on roads that are in total disrepair. Our highways are death traps unsafe, abandoned, and filled with potholes. Rather than fulfilling its responsibility to fix and maintain these roads, the government is resorting to shameless extortion.
“The Congress, therefore, demands that all roads earmarked for tolling must first be fixed, properly tarred, and repaired to international standards before any discussion on tolling can be entertained”.
Although the Federal Government recently debunked plans to increase electricity tariff by 65 percent, TUC said that “this proposed increase is not only ill-timed but also a deliberate act of economic oppression against Nigerians, who are already struggling under unbearable economic conditions.
“The improved service quality promised during the last tariff hike, particularly for consumers under the so-called “Band A” category, has not been realized. Most consumers, regardless of their tariff band, continue to live in perpetual darkness”.
TUC observed that the root cause of escalating prices and galloping inflation was the devaluation of the Naira.
“The NAC, on behalf of the Congress, strongly advises the government to refrain from introducing policies that would further exacerbate the current economic hardship faced by hardworking Nigerians.
“If the administration insists on implementing these policies, the TUC will have no choice but to mobilize the working class, civil society, and the oppressed masses for a nationwide action. This level of exploitation is unacceptable. A stitch in time saves nine,” Osifo warned.
