By Ahmed Ajikobi
Following an emergency Central Working Committee(CWC) meeting of the Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ), which was convened online on Saturday, the union has directed its members across the nation to withdraw services and commence protests across the country, beginning on Wednesday 7th,June, if the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited(NNPCL) failed to reverse the new oil price.
This was contained in the press statement released by the National Secretary of the Union, Shuaib Usman Leman and made available to newsmen on Saturday.
NUJ decision came as a result of the meeting held by the CWC, where issues surrounding the decision by the federal government to remove the Fuel Subsidy and the position taken by the Nigeria Labour Congress were discussed.
“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 unrest and protests as people may perceive the 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 JuJune 2023if the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNCPL) refuses to reverse the new price regime in the oil sector”, the statement reads.
