Following the controversy that has greeted the recent removal of fuel subsidy, the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA) has said its position on the lingering issue is purely based on its effects on the Organized Private Sector (OPS).
In a joint statement issued by the President of PHCCIMA, Dr. (Engr.) Vincent Adonye Kingston Furo and Chairman of PHCCIMA Oil and Gas Trade Group, Chief Franklin Dandison Gbupo it states;
“We are of the view that any sector of the economy, like the downstream of Petroleum
Resources whose conditions do not promote Private Sector Participation does not represent a
good economic decision. This is drawn from the fact that Government alone cannot succesfully drive that sector. The Organized
Private Sector (OPS) must be given the right incentive and environment to
operate so that one of the advantages of competitive production can play
itself out in determining the price of the products in a medium and long term run.
An analogy of this position can be seen with the liberalization of the
telecommunication sector, where the early private sector players in the
Industry like MTN and ECONET started and traded their SIM Cards for as high N16,000 and
more. However, today with other players (on term) like GLOBACOM and ETISALAT allowed entry, SIM Card price go now for as low as N100 and is enjoyed by the masses who are benefitting from the boom. This is possibly attainable in the downstream petroleum sector if well
harnessed.
A good number of Private Refineries approved by the Federal Government have not been able to
take off because of the burden of subsidy on the sector. Removal of
these impediments by Government is the rational thing to do to open up the sector to growth,
employment opportunities and wealth creation for the smaller businesses.
Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce is not unaware of the temporary pains of the short term effects, but this will
time out with the medium and long term advantages. We call on the Federal Government
to implement programmes that will cushion the short term effects on the masses
with its Reinvestment and Empowerment Programmes, and to also endeavour to build trust and
confidence to show it means well for the people. We also use this medium to appeal
to the masses, labour leaders, civil liberty organizations and opinion leaders
who have voiced their opposition to the programme to give Government one more
opportunity to prove its worth.
As a Chamber we believe that as much as Government is of the view that subsidy poses large
financial burden on it, the confidence of the people must be gained by fighting
corruption, reducing high costs of governance and adequate delivery of their
promises to the people.
Therefore, people of high values and integrity should be appointed to manage and implement the
economic stimulus on the key areas of intervention as Agriculture, Power,
Education, Health, ICT, Water Supply, Roads, Rail Transportation, Public Works
and Youth Empowerment.
In conclusion we must emphasize that the accrued funds from the subsidy burden is not only on the Federal Government alone,
State Governments, and the Local Government should articulate programmes from
the subsidy savings to impact on their people.
Oluremi Tinubu, a senator and wife of leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria,Bola Tinubu, and four other senators escaped death by the whiskers in Ibadan on Wednesday after angry mob attacked their convoy
The senators were travelling by road, led by police escorts, following the grounding of flights in airports across the country as a result of the strike declared by labour unions to protest government’s cut of subsidy on fuel. According to an eyewitness, the mob damaged five cars belonging to the senators, including police escort vans leading the convoy.
“The cars’ windscreens and windows were shattered and the senators’ valuable belongings were stolen by the mob,” an eyewitness said. Mrs. Tinubu was on the trip with Olugbenga Ashafa (ACN Lagos state), Babafemi Ojudu (ACN Ekiti state), Babajide Omoworare (ACN Ekiti state) and a yet to be identified senator.
They all got stranded in Lagos Airport on Tuesday, missing the senate’s first plenary for the year. They were hoping to risk the potholes-ridden bad road to Abuja and catch up with at least one plenary for the week. When contacted on telephone, Mr. Ojudu complained he was not in “the right frame of mind” to narrate details of the incident. The senators escaped the attack unhurt and areheading back to Lagos to recover from the trauma.
PRESS RELEASE BY THE HONOURABLE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE, MR. MOHAMMED BELLO ADOKE, SAN, CFR ON CERTAIN ACTS OF CRIMINALITY ARISING FROM THE ONGOING NATIONWIDE DEMONSTRATIONS
1. It has come to the attention of the government that some persons or group of persons are perpetuating criminal activities under the guise of participating in the on-going demonstration against the subsidy removal policy of the Government.
2. Since the demonstration began on Monday, 9th January 2012, these persons have among other things engaged in arson, wanton destruction of lives and property, as well as making unguarded statements bordering on treason with a view to overwhelming the government. As a result, several State Governors have imposed curfew in their respective States in order to prevent further breakdown of law and order.
3. While government recognizes the right of Nigerians to peaceful demonstration, it will not fold its arms or stand idly by, while the current situation deteriorates into a state of general insecurity. Henceforth, government will not hesitate to bring to bear, the full weight of the law on erring persons or group of persons howsoever called that engage in any act that threatens the peace and stability of the country or its corporate existence.
4. Government reiterates its earlier position that those who have genuine grievances as a result of the implementation of the fuel subsidy removal should express such grievances within the confines of the law and dispute resolution mechanisms as established by law.
Day 3 of the protests against the corruption and greed in the federal government was held in Abuja today. It saw the outpour off an estimated crowd of over 10,000 protesters. The energy of the crowd was determined and loud.
No incidents were reported and police presence was minimal.
The Rivers State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), says the palliative measures just announced by Governor Chibuike Amaechi are not realizable and also are contradictory both in terms in principles.
In a statement issued and signed by Jerry Needam, Publicity Secretary on behalf of the party notes a salient contradiction in Governor Amaechi supporting the federal government’s withdrawal of the contentious fuel subsidy and at the same time promising to put in place another form of fuel subsidy in the State as though life starts and ends in Port Harcourt for the hapless Rivers people and residents.
The ACN says it’s either Gov Amaechi and other proponents of the fuel subsidy removal are collaborating in this satanic policy of stratifying the country in two categories – the upper-upper class and the lower-lower class or they do not simply understand the mathematics of running a petroleum based economy in the context of International politics.
Expressing grave disappointment at Amaechi’s under-estimation of the bandwagon effect of the subsidy withdrawal, Jerry Needam said fixing transport fares for certain routes in Port Harcourt as though no other town exists in the State has exposed Amaechi’s vision and scope of Rivers State.
The ACN spokesman further argued that that arrangement cannot work because what informs the rise in transport fares is not only the hike in the pump price of petrol but the total economic convulsion stirred up by the subsidy withdrawal in the markets etc.
On the discount markets, Jerry Needam said Gov Amaechi should not pretend not to know that the Christmas experimental exercise of the project was a woeful failure, stressing that mere mentioning of the discount markets is to further irritate the protesting poor masses.
The ACN wondered how a government that lacks the capacity to checkmate the excesses of commuters and touts when the price of fuel was affordable can change overnight to assume the powers it has never had.
“As a party concerned with the welfare and overall good of Nigerian citizens, we are aware that the claim of a tiny cabal by the ruling PDP in the country sabotaging the nation’s economy is a ruse. The only cabal mismanaging the economy and religiously trampling on the rights of frustrated Nigerian people are the PDP chieftains and their cohorts in business and the industry. As long as the PDP remains in power there is no future for this country. It’s a party that trades on lies and deception. The fuel subsidy withdrawal is just one of such political gimmicks to acquire more wealth for themselves”, the ACN regretted.
The ACN insists that the only way to deregulate the petroleum down stream is to resuscitate the nation’s refineries and entrusting the management of the petroleum industry in the hands of credible, knowledgeable and God-fearing Nigerians and not PDP card carrying members and contractors.
For trying to sell out Delta state Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan’s programmes to protesting Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Unions Congress (TUC) and their affiliates who protested to government house Asaba, on Monday, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Comrade Ovuozorie Macaulay flanked by other government officials received a thunderous boo from the protesters.
The protest which lasted several hours grounded economic and government activities in Asaba, Delta state capital following the nationwide strike and protest embarked upon by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Unions Congress (TUC) and their affiliates across the country.
In Asaba, public and government institutions were all shut down as early as 7am when the state chapter of NLC, TUC, civil society, NBA amongst others marched through the only main road, Nnebisi road in Asaba chatting solidarity songs, warning President Goodluck Jonathan to revert the fuel subsidy removal or be faced with continued protest and shutting down of public and government institutions.
The placard carrying protesters with the inscriptions “Jonathan has disappointed Nigerians, Fight corruption GEJ, Freedom cometh by struggle, Boko Haram and corruption are the problems of Nigeria not fuel subsidy.” Lamented the posture of the President and vowed to continue with the struggle of liberating Nigerians from the shackles of what they called tyranny.
At the state government House, the acting chairman of NLC in the state, Comrade William Akporeha flanked by other union leaders told government that Nigerians and the masses are suffering and until the fuel subsidy removal is reversed by President Jonathan, there shall be no peace
Other union leaders who also spoke said there are no good roads, no electricity stressing that the subsidy removal was unacceptable to Nigeria masses and called on the Federal government to revert to the old pump price of #65 per a litre.
But addressing NLC and others on behalf of governor Uduaghan, Secretary to the state government, Comrade Ovuozorie Macaulay flanked by government officials got a thunderous boo when he said “Ahead of the subsidy removal, his Excellency, Dr. Emmanuel Udughan has launched another Urban transit to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal.” And before he could finish the thunderous boo rented the air.”
He however commended labour with the matured manner they conducted themselves and promised to carry their message to the appropriate quarters.
Chief Okey Muo-Aroh, an Abuja-based legal practitioner could better be described as a political gadfly, a foundation member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who aspired and won a landslide victory to the chair of Idemili North Council in 1998-2003. He admits he knows the political terrain of Nigerian very well, as well as that of the PDP and what is required to repackage and reposition the party at a time like this.
He spoke to CHUKS COLLINS in Awka, on why he wants to lead the Publicity machinery of the party now. Excerpts:
Can you say that the management of the Boko Haram issue under the PDP watch has been so far so good?
Yes, things in that wise have not been as everyone would have wished. However, its’ not out of weakness, except that the challenge has been unusual and unexpected. The perpetrators have agenda other than political. Because a close study of the Boko Haram scourge which says its anti western education and modernity has not proved what they used to pretend to profess. They had never attacked any school. Their targets had been individuals, poor men and women who assemble under their various places of worship; which leaves them very vulnerable. A suicide bomber is a very difficult customer to deal with. But from every indication the way out is to massively infiltrate their ranks through high level intelligence network to upstage them and their plans. You can see that some top officials are involved. The Federal Gov’t is already doing that as could be seen from the permutations of the 2012 budget-proposals. Though from my personal perspective something is still missing – there is certain degree of tentativeness on the part of the governments, the opposition and the entire nation who see it from the actual viewpoint. Some see as very serious, while some don’t. But the real solution would emerge once everyone starts seeing it that everyone is a target; hence need to take the battle to the doorsteps of the perpetrators. If we continue to see as attacks on churches/churchgoers, or policemen, then the palpable fear and the mounting deaths would continue. And I am very afraid that soon there would be reprisals and copy-cats, especially when people see themselves as unfairly targeted and perhaps seemingly unprotected. The Boko Haram come from somewhere, funded and maintained by some persons who gain and benefit from their acts. Let’s dig into the very existence of these links and network.
Various reforms under the PDP:
It’s unfair to blame the PDP for not tackling Health, Roads, Electricity, Agriculture, and so on, effectively so far. We all saw the level of decay of these sectors as inherited by the PDP administration from the military. The party came in basically to fight the known evil of instability. When we founded PDP in 1998 our basic aim was to set up a mass movement that would extricate Nigeria from the stranglehold of the military and their errand boys. You realize it was not with a strict ideology, but rather an eccentric coalition of diverse interest groups, individuals and bodies whose so interest was to capture power. And when the power came in 1998, the gov’t was led by a retired army General. His administration almost went against the grain of the original concept of PDP. One cannot ignore the military background and tendencies of our former president who in his honest but sometimes mistaken zeal compromise certain democratic standards. So in effect, the society, PDP inherited was one that needed a one-on-one solution of its problems In the face of scarce resources. You will agree with me that the issue of Telecommunication is no longer a topic in this country. It was successfully tackled under the PDP watch. I believe the present arrangement in Power sector reforms will definitely transform that sector and give Nigerians steady electricity. You will realize the situation in Power and Telecommunications sectors are not the same. There is the cartel that forms the core staff of the Power Holding Company distribution of generators, whose resistance to change in the sector is now becoming legendary. Ti is clear the billion dollar generating sets import business would be dislodged if the reforms in the sector become effective. For example where I live in Abuja, I have no generating set because we have 18hours steady power. I believe with the FG reform agenda firmly taking foothold in air transport (aviation), education, agriculture, road construction and so on, good things will go round. The FG has to a large extent provided the regulatory framework for the success of the private sector and would in tandem with the prevailing global phenomenon limit itself to a manageable level and private sector, encouraged to participate very actively. It’s the private sector that drives the employment boom; then the FG being father Xmas to all will be gone. That is why till date the FG remains the largest employer of labour in Nigeria instead of the other way round.
PDP and the opposition; so far so good?
PDP as a party has done very well, because considering the share number of electoral success – from councilors to council chairman, to state/National assemblies, governors and the presidency. It has sustained the winning streak since 1998 till date and it will continue. For example, see in the last governorship election in Kogi, for want of better things to say one of the parties, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) told Nigerians on a national television that PDP has abandoned the use of Political thugs, use of Police and army to effect rigging and has gone into scientific rigging. Despite an overwhelming propaganda by the numerous opposition parties, the PDP trounced them round and square. Politics is not rocket science, and any one who knows Kogi state well in the last couple of years will attest that it came out well under PDP in the provision of infrastructures No one would open the pages of any newspaper without the Progressive exploits of Governor Godswill Akpabio, Sullivan Chime, Murtala Nyako or Patric Yakowa and so on. The snag is that the party’s central publicity machinery apparently unwittingly yielded so much space to the opposition which then made it look like the party at various levels and state are not effective or active. That is the area we want to address when we have the opportunity of the publicity position of the party’s mandate.
Crisis within the party
I don’t exactly know what you mean by crisis in PDP. Politics is a contact game and by the nature interests, opinions and ideas clash. So it is naturally laden with disagreements and controversies. But what is important is to what degree were the crisis managed and controlled. It’s only a party of PDP statute that could manage well the tense controversy surrounding its last presidential nomination. Any other party would have gone under in the process. PDP managed it well and came out stronger and saw the incumbent getting the greatest electoral margin of votes ever in this country. There are crises in some local branches of the party. Such is expected especially where every one believes that the access to the machinery of party would give him unhinged access to power. So in Anambra, Ogun and Bayelsa you can situate the disagreement on the political interest in the diverse interests in those areas/states.
Way out of the crisis?
Let’s hold on to constitutional democracy, avoiding impunity and ensuring it adheres to its own laid-down policies in doing its business. The greatest gift PDP would give to Nigerians is to ensure that politics is open to its widest limit through entrenchment of equity and justice among members. There should also be a level of consistency in the application of laid down agreement which may not necessarily be written but generally accepted to be the norm in the conduct of political business.
Zoning issues
The issue of zoning and rotation of offices must be clearly spelt out, and modalities of its application specifically defined. This is to avoid the unnecessary speculations and innuendos that attended its application in recent past. Things must be clearly spelt out to avoid any form of ambiguity.
Hopes for 2012:
We have big prospects, because having read through the FG and States budget proposals for the year one would decipher they are committed to touching lives of citizens better this year through better security, safer business environment, more economic progress and abundant life etc.
An attempt by the Anambra State Government to avert the on-going nationwide strike in the state failed as state’s civil servants, Federal Government workers, and those of the Local Government system and some private organizations such as banks, insurance companies and fuel stations effectively joined and adhered to the strike since Monday.
The Guardian investigation in Awka revealed that the organized labour and civil society groups’ earlier plan to carry out street protest in the state on Tuesday January 10, 2012 in Onitsha, was quickly shelved when they got security report that Government and security agencies would organize hoodlums that would have challenged them and in the process kill some people.
But a group under the aegis of South East Democratic Initiative (SEDI), has condemned what it described as “the plot by the South East Governors to subvert the subsidy protest in the zone.”
In a statement issued from its office at Arroma Junction Awka yesterday, they lambasted Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State for banning public demonstration in the state as a ploy to sabotage the workers protest.
The statement signed by its (SEDI) director of Campaign and Publicity, Comrade Emeka Ejiofor said that anti-democratic position of the Governors has shown why these governors have subjected their people to “poverty and suffering” since the return of democracy.
The group also however commended Labour leaders in the zone especially Anambra and Enugu states for their steadfastness and by defying their Governors to join other “freedom fighters” in the strike, stressing that soon the progressive forces will flush out all these autocratic rulers” in South East zone.
Also the traders in Onitsha markets and others around however failed to shut down the markets but the commercial activities there have been very low due to the absence of customers who chose to remain in their homes.
Their regular and usual customers from Cameroun, Delta, Edo, Kogi, Benue, Cross River, Enugu, Imo, Rivers and other states have not been coming due to the strike, saying that the closure of banks in the commercial town also contributed to lull in business activities.
Consequently, human and vehicular movement into and out of Onitsha have been very light, with a lot of people preferring to stay indoor and watch events. Schools, primary, post primary and tertiary institutions in the state have been shut down due to the strike.
But a Government House, Awka source said that the state Governor Peter Obi influenced the market leaders in the state not to join the strike by making sure that markets are open.
The rage and fury that trailed the brutal killings of defenceless protesters on subsidy removal may be the reason why authorities in Kano hastely imposed a curfew to restrict movement inorder to onstensibily forstall further security breach and possible retaliation. Governor Kwankwaso was visibly shaken and surprised at the level of anger displayed by the protetsers that cut across party and religous lines. The protest organised by labour and civil society organisations attracted an unprecedented mammoth crowd who expressed their justified anger at President Jonathan’s ill-timed fuel subsidy removal and Kwankwaso’s arrogant support of the highly unpopular policy.
Though government was well aware of a possible fall out of its reckless display of solidarity with Federal Government’s removal of the subsidy, it however did not anticipate the fury that follows on Monday the 9th, when all strata of people trooped out to condemn Governor Kwankwaso and President Jonathan. On that fateful day, not less than 7 youths were reported to have been murdered by agents of the state. This came at the heel of January5th incident when students who converged at Silver Jubilee Square (renamed it Liberation Square) were butalised by the combined forces of Kano State Police and the government sponsored thugs known as vigilantes in a pre-dawn assault. One student lost his life even though government and the police kept denying. The peaceful protesters were said to be beaten with cudgels and gun butts by the police while a van belonging to the vigilantes and bearing Kano State registeration number rammed into the students, inflicting severe injuries on the protesters resulting into the death of one of the protesters. The government’s inhuman display of brute force infuriates the citizens.
Kano Govt House:_Police Vs Protesters
Thus the demonstrations of Monday provides amful opportunity for the citizens to castigate Kwankwaso and his wicked disregard of their welfare by openly backing the subsidy removal. The protests were peaceful from the onset as organisers made sure that participants conducts themelves in a peaceful manner. However, appearing on the scene by the much maligned vigilantes started to provoke the demonstrators who acknowledged the illegal and unlawful participation of the government thugs in law enforcement. Alot of people were questioning the rationale of engaging these thugs in maitaining security while Civil Defence Corps and state Hisbah Corps, all recognised by law were relegated to background. The vigilantes also reminds people of their despicable act when they drove through a peaceful crowd resulting into injuries and death. They were therfore an eye sore to the protesters and some started to jeer at them.
Meanwhile, the procession heads towards the Government House and a column of these government thugs can be seen forming a barricade at the front of the government house ostensibily to prevent the protesters reaching the gates. The streets leading to government house from State Road and adjoining Commissioner road were equally barricaded by these thugs. And they started using their cudgelis and machets at the protesters while police were looking on from behind. A melieu ensued and some of the protesters started retaliating by throwing stones at the vigilante thugs and the police. The police responded by firing cannisters of tear gas and firing into the air. This, instead of scaring the undaunting protesters made those at the back surge forward on hearing gun shots shouting “Ba mayi, Kwankwaso kaci amana” meaning: “We no longer support you, Kwankwaso the traitor.” The crowd kept surging forward and the police started shooting live bullets into the crowd. On seeing the bloodied body of victims been evacuated to the hospital, the crowd went wild even overpowering the police at one stage and pulling down a side of the Government House fence, and burning the Cabinet Office adjacent to the government house including several vehicles parked within the premises. Some vehicles belonging to the vigilantes were also touched and some said some of the thugs were also dealt with. The police had to call for reinforcement and military were also invited to disperse the crowd. Governor Kwankwaso had to be smuggled from behind, seeing how dangerous it could be if the furious crowd gained an entrance into the Government House.
Sen Lado's Burnt House
News of happenings especialyy of government’s bruatality spread fast and alot of people were heard expressing their anger at Governor Kwankwaso in particular for ordering the killings of defenceless protesters while exercising one of their fundamental rights. The protesters retreated to regroup and started damaging street lights and in the process set ablaze the residence of Senataor Bashir Garba Lado ( PDP Kano central) in the process. He is a major financier of the Kwankwasiyya thugs and his house is situated at Gumel Road by Durbin Katsina Road.
Vigilantes with Police
Kwankwaso and his handlers sensing that their worst political perdition looms, started to hatch a plan that could save their sinking necks. They started to find scape goats and Shekarau and CPC were their ready tools. They were reported to have started mobilising their thugs to also retaliaite by targetting some selected ANPP and CPC stalwarts, especially Shekarau and Mohammed Abacha in order to create a political colouration to the whole crises. The security came to know of the devilish plan and IG Hafiz Ringim reportedly intervened by instructing the Kano Commissioner of Police to impose the curfew in order to avert further chaos. It now remain to be seen how Kwankwaso would appear in public having inadvertently eroded any goodwill he might have by pitching his tent with the Federal Government, thus effectively sending the message that he is indeed an enemy of the Kano masses.
The Federal Government of Nigeria through the Attorney General has mandated the civil servants to return to work – or forfeit their salaries.
See press release below
—
PRESS RELEASE BY THE HONOURABLE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE, MR. MOHAMMED BELLO ADOKE, SAN, CFR ON THE CURRENT INDUSTRIAL ACTION BY THE NIGERIAN LABOUR CONGRESS AND THE TRADE UNION CONGRESS
1. The attention of the Attorney General of the Federation has been drawn to reports of the unfortunate loss of lives of Nigerians in the course of the demonstrations staged yesterday in some parts of the country. Government regrets this development and commiserates with the affected families. The HAGF wishes to assure all Nigerians that in order to avoid a re-occurrence of this sad event, the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and the National Human Rights Commission will work with the Nigeria Police Force and others security agencies on the imperatives of avoiding excessive use of force and the protection of the rights of law abiding citizens.
2. It will be recalled that the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) on the 4th January 2012 issued a Joint Statement calling for a general strike of Nigerian workers with effect from Monday, 9th January 2012 in solidarity with the mass protest planned by some civil society organisations over the Federal Government policy of deregulation in the downstream sector of the petroleum industry.
3. Convinced of the unlawfulness of the planned action of the NLC/TUC especially in the absence of any trade dispute with its employees, Government approached the National Industrial Court which is constitutionally vested under section 254 C (1) (c) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended with exclusive jurisdiction to consider matters relating to the propriety or otherwise of a proposed strike or industrial action.
4. The Court in furtherance of government’s application, granted an interim injunction restraining the NLC and the TUC from embarking or compelling other persons to embark on a strike action or general strike, mass rallies or street protest pending the determination of the Motion on Notice which will come up for hearing on Thursday 12th January 2012. For the avoidance of doubt, it is necessary to state that the basis of the injunction and the Motion on Notice is that no trade dispute has been declared in consonance with existing laws by the NLC and TUC and a clear distinction between civil protest on one hand and an industrial action or strike on the other.
5. The office of the Attorney General of the Federation is therefore dismayed that the NLC and TUC have refused to join issues with the Government in the judicial process and other peaceful initiatives. Rather than obey subsisting court orders, the NLC/TUC have embarked on an indefinite general strike and have pursuant to their threat, forcefully “ shut down” all offices, oil production centres, air and sea ports, fuel stations, markets and banks.
6. Government wishes to reiterate that the Order of the National Industrial Court (NIC) is a subsisting order and the continuing disregard of that Order is inimical to the public interest as it constitutes an open invitation to anarchy. Respect for the judiciary, particularly, the Orders and Judgments emanating from the Courts is critical to the survival and sustenance of our fledgling democracy. Government reiterates its commitment to the promotion and protection of the fundamental rights of the people, including the right to free speech, expression and peaceful assembly.
7. It is pertinent to remind all Nigerians that the enjoyment of these rights and freedoms must be consistent with the letters and spirit of the Constitution. The current strike by organised labour which has prevented the legitimate pursuit of economic activities across the country in defiance of a valid subsisting order of a superior court of record transgresses the parameters set by the Constitution and extant laws.
8. In light of the foregoing, members of the public who are under contractual obligations as employees in the public and private sectors are advised to respect the terms of their contract of service and report to their duty posts. Necessary measures have been put in place to ensure that this is done without any form of molestation or harassment by anyone or group of persons. In the event that public servants continue to disregard the terms of their employment in the absence of any trade dispute and especially in the face of blatant disregard of a subsisting Court Order, the Government will not hesitate to enforce the “no work no pay” policy.
9. Finally, Government calls on the NLC/ TUC to respect the Orders of the National Industrial Court and engage government in a constructive dialogue with a view to addressing hardships arising from the deregulation in the downstream sector of the petroleum industry.
