Outrage sums up the  Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC)'s reaction to the  increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit, announced by 
the government on Wednesday.

 The NLC vehemently vowed to resist the price hike, which it rejected with striking adjectives.

 It said ,``the unilateral increase in prices of petroleum products today by government represents the height of insensitivity and impunity and shall be resisted by the NLC and its civil society allies.’’

 The labour body further added:  ``the unjustifiable electricity tariff and other economic challenges brought on by the devaluation of the naira and inflation, the least one had expected was another policy measure that would make life miserable for the ordinary Nigerian.

 ``The latest increase is the most audacious and cruel in the history of product price increase as it represents not only about 80 per cent increase but it is tied to the black market exchange rate.

 ``Furthermore, the process through which government arrived at this is both illogical and illegal as the board of the PPPRA is not duly constituted.''

 The  NLC in a statement, issued by NLC General Secretary, Dr Peter Ozo-Eson, in Abuja  also described the increase as insensitive and vowed to resist it.

 It also stated that through its previous statements and communiqués had stressed the need for the reconstitution of the boards of NNPC and PPPRA .

 The statement accused the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu of having overbearing influence and acting as a sole administrator.

 It said the allusion to the fact that the increase was arrived at after due consultation with stakeholders was ridiculous and fallacious.

 ``It goes to show that the brief meeting held today during which government was advised to shelve the idea until, at least, it meets with the appropriate organs of the Congress was in bad faith.

 ``Accordingly, we urge the government to revert the prices to what they were. We would want to put everybody on notice that we shall resist this criminal increase with every means legitimate.

 ``Already, an emergency NEC meeting has been scheduled for Friday, May 13, to decide on the next line of action,’’ the statement said..

 It called on affiliates, state councils and civil society allies of the Congress to commence mobilisation immediately.

 The federal  government on Wednesday announced an increase in petrol pump price from N87 to N145 per litre in an effort to stabilise the price of the product.