Fuel Subsidy: Nigerian Union Of Journalists Joins Wednesday’s National Strike, Asks Members To Withdraw Services

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has issued a fresh statement.

The union stated its plan to withdraw its services across the country over the social unrest and hardship unleashed on Nigerians by the announcement of fuel subsidy removal by President Bola Tinubu.

The union in a statement signed by its National Secretary, Shuaibu Usman Leman, on Saturday after its virtual emergency Central Working Committee meeting, said that the sudden removal of fuel subsidy would lead to social unrest and protests as people might perceive the government as being insensitive to their plight.

According to the union, with President Tinubu’s announcement of the fuel subsidy removal in his inaugural speech, there is already an astronomical increase in the prices of petroleum products and high inflation which have drastically reduced the purchasing power of citizens.

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.

“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 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.”

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