**NLC Calls for Wage Increase as Fuel Prices Soar** In a bid to cushion the effect of the recent surge in fuel prices, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on both the federal and state governments to grant an immediate increase in wages and cost of living allowance (COLA) to all workers. The organisation warned that the estimated N30 trillion oil windfall, expected to accrue to the country as a result of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, should not be mismanaged like the Gulf Oil windfall of the past. This caution is necessary to prevent the oil revenue from benefiting individuals rather than the public. The NLC also expressed concern over the skyrocketing prices of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in Nigeria, which have risen to between N1,170 and N1,300 per litre. This has had a devastating effect on workers, who are struggling to make ends meet due to the high cost of transportation and food. The organisation noted that current wages are barely enough to cover basic needs, with many workers living on mere stipends. To address this issue, the NLC has made several demands, including an immediate increase in wages and COLA for all workers, expansion and overhaul of cash transfers to ensure transparency and effectiveness, and tax reliefs for workers. The NLC also urged the federal government to set a timeline for the full-scale operationalisation of all public refineries to reduce the country's reliance on imported fuel. Additionally, the organisation warned against sabotaging national refineries to create a monopoly, which would lead to the export of jobs and the importation of refined products. In essence, the NLC is calling on the government to use the oil windfall to benefit the masses, rather than a select few. By granting wage increases and implementing policies that support workers, the government can help alleviate the burden of the high cost of living and ensure that the oil revenue benefits all Nigerians.