The Coalition of Civil Society Organizations and Labour Centre has called for understanding from Nigerians over the harsh economic realities of the fuel subsidy removal which is affecting all and sundry.
The group stated further that they should recognized that the removal of fuel subsidy is a bitter pill which we all have to swallow in order to stop the hemorrhaging of the Nigerian state.
Comrade Razak Olokoba stated this in his welcome address and opening remarks during a town hall meeting on the state of the nation and sundry matters and the way forward for the collective benefits of our people.
He commended President Bola Tinubu, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other state Governors for the policy thrust of their governments in addressing the pains being experienced by Nigerians in the aftermath of the removal of fuel subsidy.
Full text of the town hall meeting below:
Subject: COALITION OF CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS/LABOUR CENTRE TOWN HALL MEETING COMMUNIQUE
COALITION OF CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS/LABOUR CENTRE
Being the communiqué from a one day town hall meeting on the state of the nation and sundry national matters convoked by Coalition of Civil Society Organizations and Labour Centre holding on Tuesday 1st August
2023 in Lagos.
The town hall meeting had in attendance representatives of the below mentioned organizations, affiliates, associates and the media.
Attendance
1. Razak Olokoba Campaign for Dignity in Governance
2. Nelson Ekujumi Centre for Social and Economic Rights
3. Titi Akosa Centre for 21st Century Issues
4. Linus Okoroji Humanity Services Project
5. Raji Rasheed Oyewunmi Yoruba Citizen Action for Change
6. Hamed Balogun Frontliner Economy and Social Research Centre
7. Jubril Ogundimu Oodua Revolutionary Front
8. Gbenga Soloki Campaign Against Impunity and Domestic Violence
9. Razaq Oladosu Grassroots Democratic Initiative
10. Alex Omotehinse Centre for Human and Socio-economic Rights
11. Awakulu Galadima Northern Integrity Forum
12. Ramat Abdulrazak Women Grassroot Network
13. HRM Sola Olatunde Oodua Youth Movement
14. Ramat Abdulrazak National Union of Market Men and Women
15. Ramat Abdullahi Centre for Promotion of Work Ethics and Values
16. Oliseh Charles Labour Veterans
17. Raheem Akeem Fmr. President Trade Union Congress (TUC)
18. Princess Abidemi Dosumu Salamotu Dosumu Skills Acquisition
foundation For Women and Underprivileged
19. Funso Mojuba Yoruba Unity Network
20. Akin Abosanyin Yoruba Interactive Network’
21. Alhaji Taofeek Adeyemi Oodua Peoples Congress (Reform)
The town hall meeting started at 11am with the rendition of the national anthem followed by opening prayer.
Comrade Razak Olokoba gave the welcome address and opening remarks in welcoming all to the town hall meeting on the state of the nation and sundry matters and the way forward for the collective benefits of our
people.
Comrade Razak Olokoba called for understanding from Nigerians over the
harsh economic realities which is affecting all and sundry and recognized that the removal of fuel subsidy is a bitter pill which we all have to swallow in order to stop the hemorrhaging of the Nigerian state.
He commended President Bola Tinubu, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other state Governors for the policy thrust of their governments in addressing the pains being experienced by Nigerians in the aftermath of the removal of fuel subsidy.
He welcomed all to the meeting and wished the participants fruitful deliberations.
The meeting then devolved into presentations by the various groups present and state as follows:
– That the removal of fuel subsidy is necessary and inevitable to save
the Nigerian state from economic comatose
– That the humongous funds $30 billion dollars being expended on fuel
subsidy amounts to a rip off of the Nigerian people
– That the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration should be
commended for the bold economic decision of removing fuel subsidy in
the collective interest of the Nigerian people in the long run
– That it’s a fact that Nigerians are going through economic hardship
as a result of this policy, but they must show understanding with the
mindset that the pains they are presently going through, is the
temporary sacrifice that they have to make for a better future
– That we acknowledge that in less than two months after the removal
of fuel subsidy, Nigeria has started reaping the gains in terms of
savings of about one trillion naira to the national coffers which
could have been frittered away.
– That the palliatives put in place to soothe the temporary pains
being experienced as a result of the removal of fuel subsidy must be
monitored by civil society organizations to enhance transparency and
accountability.
– That we commend Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos state for his
policy statements and measures put in place to addressing the economic
plight of Lagosians
– That as we call for patience and understanding from Nigerians to be
patient and persevere, our leaders at all levels of government must
also cut down on the cost of governance
– That government at all tiers should put in place social protection
policy for vulnerable citizens in line with global best practices.
– That Nigerians should be wary of people and groups who want to make
political capital out of their economic situation through propaganda
of lies and mischief to mislead and incite
– That Nigerians paid a heavy price for the installation of this
democracy through sweat, limb and blood and would deploy all and any
legitimate means to defend and sustain it.
– That Nigerians will resist any attempt to undermine this democracy
through any undemocratic means using the instrumentality of the rule
of law as expressed in the fundamental right to peaceful assembly and
rallies by citizens.
The town hall meeting resolved as follow:
– President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is commended for the bold economic
decision of removing fuel subsidy
– The economic inconvenience of fuel subsidy removal is affecting all
strata of the Nigerian society.
– The gains of the removal of fuel subsidy has started manifesting in
increased savings of an unprecedented one trillion naira within two
months and thus government has more funds to deliver democratic
dividends to the citizenry.
– President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is commended for his presidential
broadcast and the measures he has outlined to address the economic
inconvenience occasioned by fuel subsidy removal
– Nigerians are enjoined to show understanding and patience on this
matter with the optimism that the fuel subsidy removal aftermath is a
temporary sacrifice to pay for a better and enduring future
– The three tiers of government must put in place social safety
mechanism to alleviate the conditions of the vulnerable in line with
global best practices
– The palliatives and other measures put in place to address the
economic plight of Nigerians as a result of the removal of fuel
subsidy must be monitored for transparency and accountability sake by
the civil society organizations
– The Nigerian people are determined to defend democracy with all
legitimate means necessary for our collective good.
– Nigerians and groups are enjoined to ventilate their views on the
fuel subsidy removal and other issues within the purview of the law
and not allow themselves to be hoodwinked or provoked to anarchy by
anti democratic elements.
– We commend Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos state for outlining
his administrations measures to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy
removal.
– We say no to breakdown of law and order in the guise of exercise of
fundamental rights of citizens and call on the security agencies to be
alive to their responsibilities.
– We wish to alert Nigerians to beware of the threat to national
security by persons and groups using the fuel subsidy removal issue
for political capital.
– Local government council administrations are enjoined to follow the
paths of the federal and states governments in outlining their
palliatives and measures to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy
removal on the citizenry.
Signed by the following organizations above
