Nigerian government urges cooperation as Labour Unions protest

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

Nigerian government urges cooperation as Labour Unions protest
Williams Osewezina, Lagos

The Nigerian government has called on citizens to give it a chance to bring necessary change through its transformation agenda policies, reiterating that the removal of the fuel subsidy was in the interest of Nigerians and a way of fighting corruption in the petroleum sector.

Nigeria’s Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, made the call on Monday, in an interview with local television in reaction to the nationwide protest across Nigeria over the removal of the fuel subsidy.

The Labour Unions, joined by civil society groups embarked on an indefinite strike to protest government’s subsidy removal, announced on January 1.

The Nigerian government had earlier called on the unions not to embark on the industrial action but consider further negotiations.

Restoring confidence on government

Okonjo-Iweala stated that the subsidy removal was part of government’s strategy to bring transformation in the country.

She pointed out that there was need to give the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan a chance to do things differently and bring about the necessary change that the people are calling for.

The Minister pointed out that if the government is not given a chance to institute the necessary change, the country will not move forward.

She expressed enthusiasm that the govecrnment would bring transformation in the transportation, petroleum sector, health and other sectors that have been neglected for years if the citizens allowed the transformation policies to take effect.

Necessary transparency

Debunking claims that the proceeds that will accrue from the subsidy removal had already been spent, she explained that it was not possible as it would be realised in phases and deployed accordingly.

She stated that the proceeds from the subsidy and how government intends to use the generated funds would be published as it comes in from the month of January.

Mrs Okonjo-Iweala who is the coordinating minister of the Nigerian economy, urged citizens to hold the government accountable if it fails to fulfill its promise.

Despite the plea, the general strike continued across Nigeria. Protesters insist that government should revert the price of fuel to 65 Naira per litre from the current 138 Naira per litre before it will consider negotiations.

Some protesters have pointed out that the fuel subsidy removal was not the only issue but stressed the need for government to cut expenses on governance as much as possible.

Following the nationwide protest, shops, offices, businesses, schools and petrol stations around the country were closed on the first day of the indefinite strike.

Channels/Williams/Cokey