Fuel Hike: Stop The Ugly Drift- NUJ To FG
Nigeria Union of Journalists has condemned in strong terms, the painful trend of hike in the prices of petrol, arising from the sudden removal of subsidy on the product.
In a press release signed by the NUJ National Secretary, Mallam Shuaibu Leman, the Union “is alarmed at the just announced increase in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to N617 per litre in Abuja and N568 in Lagos respectively”
The Union further observed that the development had already triggered astronomical increases in transport fares, resulting in skyrocket prices of food items becoming almost unaffordable to most Nigerians.
This is even as according to the release, “users of electricity generators to power their homes are already groaning uncontrollably under the present situation”.
The Union recalled that even though it applauded the decision to remove the “costly subsidies on fuel”, it had cautioned against hasty implementation of the policy, especially, considering the fact that mitigating measures had not been put in place to cushion the harsh effects that obviously followed it.
“We are saddened by the fact that today most people can hardly commute to work or other places of business without too much stress because the embarrassing sudden surge in petrol prices has made it so”, NUJ stressed.
The Union called for the immediate reversal of the sudden decision and consideration of adequate measures to put in place and reduce its negative effects on the ordinary Nigerians.
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Sam Udekwe is a journalist working in the News and Current Affairs department, Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) Enugu. He is well trained in all genres of journalistic venture.
Mr Sam read Mass Communication, graduating all with Distinction in National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma at IMT, Enugu and Madonna University, Okija, Anambra state, while he is presently on his M.Sc programme also in Mass Communication, at National Open University of Nigeria.
He is currently the NUJ Chairman, Enugu state.
samowailo@gmail.com
