The Nigerian Union of Journalists has made clear its plan to withdraw its services across the country in protest against the announcement of fuel subsidy removal by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The union made this known in a statement signed by its National Secretary, Shuaibu Usman Leman after its virtual emergency Central Working Committee meeting on Saturday.
The statement read, “An emergency Central Working Committee meeting of the Union was convened online today, Saturday, June 3, 2023, to discuss issues surrounding the decision by the Federal Government to remove Fuel Subsidy and the position taken by the Nigeria Labour Congress.”
“After presentations by the National President, Chris Isiguzo, and the National Treasurer Bamidele Atunbi on the position taken by NLC on the matter, members unanimously adopted the position of NLC on the issue.”
The union emphasized that it is not against the removal of fuel subsidy but cannot watch silently as it’s sudden removal without proper planning create social unrest and hardship in the country.
“CWC reiterates the argument that although the removal of fuel subsidy will free allocations which can be channelled to the provisions of infrastructure and creation of additional jobs, the sudden removal could however lead to social unrests and protests as people may perceive government as being insensitive to their plight.”
“CWC also notes that already there is an astronomical increase in the prices of petroleum products and high inflation which have drastically reduced the purchasing power of citizens.”
“Accordingly CWC directs all State Councils of the Union to mobilize members to withdraw their services and commence protests nationwide from Wednesday next week, 7th June, 2023, if the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNCPL) refuses to reverse the new price regime in the oil sector.”
The union declare that joining the strike became necessary because of the need to protect citizens from the hardship that is about to be unleashed on the country because of the decision to remove fuel subsidy by the federal government.
