Nigeria Union of Journalists,NUJ, has directed all State Councils of the Union to mobilise their members to withdraw their services and commence protests nationwide from Wednesday 7th June, 2023, if the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNCPL) refuses to reverse the new price regime in the oil sector.
The directive was given at an emergency Central Working Committee meeting of the Union convened online, 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.
Media release signed by the national Secretary of the union, Shuaibu Usman Leman, and made available to newsmen on Saturday,June,3,2023,at the end of the Central Working Committee’s meeting viewed with dismay, the ” increase in the prices of petroleum products and high inflation which have drastically reduced the purchasing power of citizens”.
The media release read:
“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.
“CWC reiterates the argument that although the removal of fuel subsidy will free allocations which can be channeled 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 mobilise 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,” NUJ stated.
Author: Maureen Ikpeama