A recent hike in the cost of Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO), popularly called Black Oil, has triggered fears that about 20,000 people employed in Kano's textile firms may lose their jobs, National Deputy Secretary of Nigeria Union of Textile Workers, Comrade Aminu Sulaiman told reporters.
Sulaiman headed a group of union members who presented their grievances to the State Governor. He said that around 10 textile companies in Kano intend to down shutters if the Federal Government does not slash the price of Black Oil.
Black Oil, which up till now was provided free of cost to industries, was sold at N20 per litre. After the hike, it now costs N72 per litre.
Sulaiman pointed out that Black Oil, a by-product of petroleum, becomes unaffordable for a factory that consumes 10 to 20 thousand litres of it daily. Thus, they are left with no other option but to shut shop. Earlier, as many as 30 industrial units in Northern Nigeria were forced to stop work when the oil was first sold at N20 per litre.
Responding to the textile workers' plea, Kano Governor Ibrahim Shekarau said he will take up the matter with President Umaru Yar'Adua. "Give us time and we shall intervene. We hope to have some positive result soon," Shekarau said. He advised workers to exercise patience till that happens.
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