NUJ Backs NLC, Threatens to Withdraw Services

Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) says it will withdraw its services in solidarity with Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) over hiked pump price of fuel by Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had after his inauguration on Monday, announced subsidy removal to augment other sectors.

The incident forced customers into panic buying as they blamed fuel stations for hoarding the product.

NNPCL had set the product’s price between 488 and 550, depending on the state consumers buy from. 

Yesterday, NLC declared a nationwide strike starting next Wednesday to protest the current hardship in the country.

Speaking after an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja, the NLC President, Joe Ajaero said the union would embark on strike if the price of the product is not reviewed. 

NUJ TO WITHDRAW SERVICES

In a press statement signed by its National Secretary, Shuaibu Usman Leman, NUJ threatened to withdraw its services.

Leman stated that the decision was reached after a virtual emergency meeting held today where members of the union unanimously agreed to the position. 

The union said it fears the sudden surge in pump price could lead to “social unrest and protests as people may perceive the government as being insensitive to their plight.”

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THE FULL STATEMENT

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 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.

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