Members of the civil society organisations who converged on Lagos yesterday have warned the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to jettison their proposed protest beginning today.
They said though things were tough, the organised labour should consider the consequences of the protest on the country.
The CSOs said the protest might be hijacked by aggrieved Nigerians who have been benefiting from fuel subsidy and the strike may lead to loss of lives and property.
Speaking at a town hall meeting convened by Rasaq Olokoba of Campaign for Dignity in Governance, the CSOs said the removal of fuel Subsidy was in the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians, adding that the money saved would be used to take care of many amenities, which will lead Nigeria to be a better country.
They warned that the protest might be hijacked like the EndSARS protest., noting that the federal government and Lagos State government had already initiated palliative measures to cushion the effect of removal of fuel Subsidy.
They urged other state governments and local governments to follow suit, just as the CSO’s members volunteered to assist the government in distribution of the palliatives in ensuring they get to the vulnerable members of the society.
Present at the meeting were Nelson Ekujumi representing Centre for Social and Economic Rights, Titi Akosa, Centre for 21st Century Issues, Linus Okoroji of Humanity Services Project, Raji Rasheed Oyewunmi of Yoruba Citizen Action for Change, Hamed Balogun of Frontliner Economy and Social Research Centre, Jubril Ogundimu of Oodua Revolutionary Front.
Others were Gbenga Soloki of Campaign Against Impunity and Domestic Violence, Razaq Oladosu of Grassroots Democratic Initiative Alex Omotehinse of Centre for Human and Socio-economic Rights
Awakulu Galadima of Northern Integrity Forum, Ramat Abdulrazak representing Women Grassroot Network, HRM Sola Olatunde of Oodua Youth Movement and others.
Reading the communiqué of the meeting Comrade Nelson Ekujumi, said that the removal of fuel subsidy was necessary and inevitable to save the Nigerian state from economic comatose.
According to the communiqué, “The humongous funds $30 billion dollars being expended on fuel subsidy amounts to a rip off of the Nigerian people.
“That the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration should be commended for the bold economic decision of removing fuel subsidy in the collective interest of the Nigerian people in the long run.
“It’s a fact that Nigerians are going through economic hardship as a result of this policy, but they must show understanding with the mindset that the pains they are presently going through, is the temporary sacrifice that they have to make for a better future.’’
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