Thursday, 23 February 2012
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Occupy Nigeria: Civil Society, Labour Unions To Engage In Series Of Mass Action In January 2012
Jaiye Gaskia today at a press conference
A coalition of Civil Society in Abuja said that it would begin a mass protest come January 2012 tagged (Occupy Nigeria) over the controversial fuel subsidy removal.
This revelation was made today by the National Convener of the group ,Jaye Gaskia, at a press briefing. Gaskia said that the group would mobilize all Nigerian and other organized bodies for permanent street protest which would cut across the country if Government go a finally go ahead with the removal of the fuel subsidy.
The group which comprises of Action Aid , United Action for Democracy (UAD), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Legislative Advocacy Center (CISLAC).
The full text of the press conference:
A CLARION CALL TO ACTION
Retake our country:Reclaim our Humanity:Return to the streets:occupy Nigeria for Social Transformation.
THE GLOBAL SITUATION.
We are living through very hard, but equally interesting times ;through a period of another historic crises of the global capitalist(free market) economy; a crisis so deep that although it began as a global financial crisis ,it has now engulfed the entire global capitalist/ market economy and the political and socio-cultural systems supported by this economy.
In its present phase ,the crisis is at once a global economic , as well as a global political and socio cultural crisis.Not only huge corporations and financial institutions are going bankrupt and needing large scale bailouts; but so also are whole countries (Greece,Ireland,Ice Land,Spain,Italy etc,)going bankrupt and needing bailouts of historic proportions.
Furthermore, as economic crisis have deepened, so have the political crisis, so much so that from one country to another, governing parties are losing their majorities and opposition parties are gaining majorities that are not enough to form government without going into coalitions. Elsewhere across the globe, and away from Europe,Asia, and the Americas ,in North Africa and the Middle East more dramatic political crisis is unfolding, precipitating historic mass uprising and revolution upheavals ,unprecedented in the life of a generation. In the life of a generation. In the MENA region, at the moment, three long standing regimes have been deposed (Tunisia,Egypt and Libya) two intense civil wars are ongoing (Syria and Yemen) and tension is rising and building up in the other countries forcing monarchs and ruling parties to propose different types of reforms to douse the popular anger (Jordan,Bahrain,Saudi Arabia,Morocco,Algeria).
A central characteristic of the response of ruling classes and elites right across the world to the global crisis, has been to try to bailout (subsidies to the majority) increase in cost of services and imposition of new levies among others.
Nevertheless, as they have tried to increase the burden of hardships on the majority, so have the resistance of the majority intensified. The result today is the revolutionary upheaval in the MENA, the waves of strikes across Europe and the Americas and the growing Occupy movement.
THE SITUATION IN NIGERIA:
Here at home in Nigeria ,the global economic crisis has been compounded by the monumental corruption of the ruling class ,its administrative and managerial ineptitude, and its political and governance. The Nigerian ruling class has been content to loot the treasury and to place its pecuniary interest far above the collective interest of the Nation and her people.
Nowhere is the more glaring than in the energy sector, with respect to electricity generation and distribution, and petroleum product refining and distribution. This ruling class prefers to continue to pretend to be helpless before a cabal/cartel of its own making, one that enjoys its patronage controls generator importation and fuel importation.
Because of its own selfish interest, the ruling class will spend billions of dollars on the importation of generator, basic food stuff and refined petroleum products; rather than invest in the power generation and distribution in the country, crude refining and distribution capacity within the country and in the value chains of basic food in country.
They undertake this unholy act with impunity because they are more interested in lining their pockets than in making the country work for her citizens.
Now they claim there is a subsidy on refined petroleum products because they have failed to revive refineries at home or build new ones after spending close to 100 billion naira on Turn Around Maintenance that have turned nothing around in the sector except the bank accounts of those responsible for this grand theft who are known yet still walk the streets of our country freely.
Why is Nigeria the only member of OPEC with the highest cost of petrol per litre ? Why is Nigeria the only member of OPEC that imports over 80% of its refined petroleum products?
The result of decades of gross incompetence ,crass impunity with respect to corruption and grand ineptitude in overall management of the economy includes the wiping out of a vibrant textile industries; the loss of 1.8 million jobs in manufacturing alone between 2001 and 2010 as a result of the closure of 1,000 manufacturing concerns, as well as poverty level that has stagnated around 60%over the last ten years and a youth unemployment rate of more than 45%.
Given the parlous nature of the power/electricity sector, we know that virtually every sector of the economy is now directly dependent on fuel to run generator to generate power for industrial , commercial, agriculture, processing, transportation and domestic use. It therefore stands to reason that any increase in the pump price of fuel/petrol ,even a marginal increase not to talk of the proposed 130% increase will be quite devastating for the economy and crushing for the standard and condition of living of the [people cost of production and overheads will increase across the board. Transportation and logistics cost for moving goods and services as well as for moving human will also increase astronomically. The overall impact of all these will be higher costs for food basic services(education, healthcare),declining standard of living, increased absolute and relative poverty rising jobless and homelessness as well as increased crime and insecurity.
This is why it is imperative for this generation of Nigerian to resist these insensitive and anti people policy of fuel subsidy removal and the privatization (theft of public wealth by a few connected members of the political elites and their foreign backers) and deregulation (the falsehood that market regulates itself.
OUR DEMANDS;
*Absolutely no increase in the prices of petroleum products and electricity Tariffs.
*Development and prompt implementation of a three year strategic and operational plan to acquire domestic refining capacity to meet domestic needs for petroleum products and also export; as well as to double current power generation and distribution capacity.
*Comprehensive investigation into the power and petroleum sector (Energy Sector) to identify and punish all those responsible for the failures/wastage/leakages/corruption in the sector that has led to the non performance of the tens of Billions of Naira pumped into the sector since 1999.
*A referendum on the appropriate economic direction for the country, including such issues as privatization, deregulation, provision of affordable basic services and infrastructures
CAUSE OF ACTION;
Failure to meet these demands will lead to the following actions;
1 Beginning December 2011 –Preparatory direct mass action initiatives across the country wherever people are organized and ready to take tentative actions.
2 Beginning January 2012-A generalized, prolong and permanent street protest until demands are met in a signed agreement with the acknowledged representatives of the popular organization of the people.
JAYE GASKIA KENN HENSHAW
National Convener General Secretary
Comments
62 comment(s)
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why say moshi like sheeps
Submitted by dan (not verified) on February 2, 2012 - 19:25.
im telling u if we wer so peacefull we would not even know about gun, bombs,ganade,or shooting but no we are like kill bomb shoot die my brother
...Prince that owes me the rest of the Nigerian Gold fortune...
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on January 8, 2012 - 06:44.
If you are so stupid to agree to recieve 10Billion Dollar into your account while you pay your benefactor 10Million Dollar for his geture, then you are the peak of idiocy. Those who scam you prey on your stupidity and greed as well as your stereotipical belief that you just got another African sucker. Now that you are being caught at your own game, you are crying blue murder! If you are not stupid and greedy both at the same time, there is no way that you should be taken in by the equally stupid scheme in the first place ...
Dude speak english.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on January 3, 2012 - 09:22.
Dude speak english.
Enough of Talks
Submitted by Fidie Defensor (not verified) on January 2, 2012 - 15:04.
Enough of talks and talks. Let action begin.
COWARDS NEVER START.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 24, 2011 - 22:57.
COWARDS NEVER START.
IF ALL NIGERIANS CAN BE LIKE MOSHSHE THERE WILL BE NO SUFFERING
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 20, 2011 - 05:00.
If you think it is easy to resign your appointment for others to get jobs then resign from where you are working and hear what your family, friends and girl friends will say about you. Haters beware, Mosheshe is our hero
FREDERICK MOSHESHE IS THE MESSIAH OF UNEMPLOYED GRADUATES
Submitted by Comrade Ovie Sanco (not verified) on December 20, 2011 - 04:44.
Now we know Why our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified by the same people he died to redeem.Some body who was occupying an exhalted position as the Special Assistant to the governor on Students Affairs saw that graduates in the state are suffering and decided to resign in protest of the unemployment situation in the state and we protested that the government should address the issues that led to his resignation.The governor of Delta State graciously approved the employment of over a hundred unemployed graduates directly into the state civil service, he appointed nine unemployed graduate directly from the street as senior special assistant and political aid to work with him, he set aside N1billion in the BOI for youth empowerment and job creation for unemployed youths and graduates.The man who made the scarifies for all this thing to happen is this same Fredrick Mosheshe that you are talking about.If you think it is easy to resign for others to get job
THINGS TO KNOW
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 13, 2011 - 22:51.
Is were u stage action Benin Lagos jos Ibadan who cares that's nt where orders and lifes of :150 million people are control u should go to Abuja that's where u should start from if all this mobile big head police men will not jack u away if it can work in Abuja then what's Benin or Lagos .the most important thing is that we don't even knw whatvwe want this is the future of the next generation children otherwise they will Kip killing each other for foolish reason too.
Mrs NGOZI OKWONJO-IWEALA IS ONLY A MIMICKING HER EMPLOYERS
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 3, 2011 - 16:21.
@IBRAHIM SAAD: The woman called Mrs NGOZI OKWONJO-IWEALA is just another sucker who could not get what she want with Obasanjo...so she left. Now that a stack olodo is at the helm of affairs she is back. But the money has being looted during and after the worst election of 2011. This is why she could be so stupid to offer an unintelligent reason why the need to remove the fuel subsidy...I question her intelligence but may be she is sweet in bed, thus, the reason why she was offered the job again - she has nothing to offer us (mark my words).
Occupy Nigeria
Submitted by AnnieMouse (not verified) on December 3, 2011 - 13:33.
Would somebody please locate that Prince that owes me the rest of the Nigerian Gold fortune that I signed up for? I will pay you handsomely. Just send me your detailed personal information plus date of birth and Social Security number.
Thank You. (expect the package in one to 20 years.)
HEAR THIS O NIGERIANS
Submitted by IBRAHIM SAAD (not verified) on December 2, 2011 - 19:52.
“We want the poor to benefit from the subsidy, but as it is now, that is not the case. It is our neighbouring countries that now buy it at cheap price and sell at high price. We are subsidising for them. If we must subsidise, it has to get to the poor."
Mrs NGOZI OKWONJO-IWEALA
A BRAIN WITH COMMON SENSE WILL IMMEDIATELY POINT A FINGER AT THOSE INCHARGE OF OUR BORDERS. FOR NGOZI, REMOVAL OF SUBSIDY IS THE SOLUTION. YOU CANT SET PRICES OR HELP YOUR PEOPLE IF YOU DONT CONTROL YOUR BORDERS, COMMON SENSE. THE POOR NIGERIANS SHE WANTS TO HELP HAVE TO PAY HIGHER PRICES BECAUSE OUR BOARDERS ARE NOT CONTROLLED.
Soon, the people will rise
Submitted by Nigerian (not verified) on December 2, 2011 - 19:36.
It is interesting how the lazy thinker around Jonathan Goodluck masquerading as strategists exhibit lack of imagination. They cant find quality people to fight their dirty cause. The only rag tag army they could muster are not competent enough to generate convincing arguement but resort to abuses. They also are incapable of carrying out simple tasks that any primary school pupil reading their posting could easily notice it is the same person writing with different names, with same exhibition of ability to communicate intelligently.
we must act
Submitted by comrade evwibovwe irikefe (not verified) on December 2, 2011 - 17:38.
We shud understand dis truism,civil societies cant jst jump to d street nd start ranting.we might be slow in d revolution process bt we still ve to mobilise nd educate nigerians on d need of this mass action.d govt cant bambooze us with thier capitalist motive supported by d IMF.cm jan 2012,there ll be a scientific nd systemic revolution supported by nigerians.d die is cast!
@Patrick Agbobu,solution is not in subsidy removal at this time!
Submitted by Elmango Meat (not verified) on December 2, 2011 - 17:25.
@Patrick Agbobu said: 'Subsidising feul is not only bad for the environment, but it is also bad economics....... In any event, the so called subsidy only benefits, a very few persons in some very high quarters.
What the members should do is, to properly mornitor the money derived from subsidy and make sure that it is not looted and stolen as usual."
My questions are:
a) Who are these "very few persons in some very high quarters" ? Are they faceless?
b)Can GEJ truly and honestly stand up to them?
c)If they are wrong, what are the law agencies waiting for? Take them to court and get a refund!
d) Who will properly monitor this subsidy given the level of corruption and decadency in our society? Is it Boko HARAM, ICPC, EFCC, Dikko's custom, the 20 Naira toll gate collectors called Police or Awokulehins that parade our courts?
The solution is not in subsidy removal at this time!
NOW
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 2, 2011 - 17:16.
One must allow time so as to create greater awareness in our nation concerning this movement and I believe that that is their reasoning for waiting until January to begin the protests. You must understand that our country is not equipped with the technology that allows for mass mobilization that was seen in America and even during the Arab Spring. Not everyone has a laptop to sit infront of and consume information concerning our nation's problems! Instead of calling them cowards you should be helping to spread the word and unite the people! In numbers we find strength, forget the past failed attempts, forget ethnicity-- NOW is the time! OCCUPY NIGERIA!
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan- A Disgrace to The Academia
Submitted by Hollaniyii (not verified) on December 2, 2011 - 16:56.
The short term and Long term effects of a policy should be carefully considered and thorough analysis and trial should be made before it is being introduced. The actions and inaction of our president is another proof that being a genius or super intelligent does not have direct relationship with academic qualification. Nigeria is a delicate state operating under a delicate economy. In actual sense our economy is on the verge of collapse and the poverty rate is being increased everyday.
Goodluck is a product of circumstances we all know but his academic experience ought to make him stand out neverthless he was adjudged the worse we ever had. With the fuel subsidy we are dieing of hunger, an average man cannot pay rent and this country seems unlivable for an the poor.
THE STORM CONSUMING THE POOR WILL SOON CONSUME YOU AND YOUR ALLIES
Removal of fuel subsidy is a criminal act and man inhumanity to man
Occupy Nigeria
Submitted by Akpan Ekwere (not verified) on December 2, 2011 - 16:48.
Your views are nothing but the truth. Even the President highlighted all these during his campaign and I think he is doing somthing about it.
Protest or demonstration would not help matters rather would set us back.
Lets join hands to eliminate corruption in Nigeria. That's our number one problem.
Every body in Nigeria is corrupt.
FG should just ban NLC
Submitted by kulkat on December 2, 2011 - 16:32.
"The Indians who bought Ajaokuta Steel, rather than turn it around, dismantled the equipment and exported them to India. Today, we are exporting the same steel from India" Where was NLC?
Where is Nigerian Airways? Where was NLC when Aodanka was made the AGF? When is the currupt NLC will involve itself in the war against curruption?.
What next after oil subsidy.
Links
Submitted by TrutH (not verified) on December 2, 2011 - 16:17.
sometimes humanity tries to run from reality. no, amount of protest will change niger-area. there is no way hausa/fulani will live in peace with the igbos in 1 country. any peace loving man will not support this. the best protest to change everything is to divide the country.
Links
Submitted by TrutH (not verified) on December 2, 2011 - 15:44.
Civil Society, Labour Unions or whatever you call your self, you people are all clowns. you should invite the british queen and her kingdom to protest as well because they armed the hausa/fulani to kill the igbos. this is the niger-area you fought for. any IGBO who will take part in that protest will die an untimely death. we need arm revolution to divide niger-area
Ignorant people
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 2, 2011 - 14:12.
It looks as if the Yoruba and Igbo people are the problems of Nigeria. A northern is leading a protest and you lot are running your mouths like dung. Mr Gaskiya, please ignore ignorant peple.
Urchins Looking For Payday ...Otile Is Right!
Submitted by Wähala (not verified) on December 2, 2011 - 13:55.
Where's the SNG today, and that other turncoat NG Girl, Olarenwaju? Isn't Soyinka retired, while Tinubu runs around claiming the president sent his jet to fly him (Tinubu) to Abuja? We know the true scammers in Nigeria and this bunch of clowns announcing their intentions to the world fit into our definition. These are thieves wanting their "Brown Envelope" before Xmas, nothing else.
@Ibrahim Saad: Sallam! I share your views and attitude!
@ Kulkat :Your sarcastic comments only highlight the cowardice in your lot. They're high-profile thieves, jet-owning pastors scamming fools like you. Gowan and Danjuma are scooping blood from their backyards today, the turncoats must pay their price, and it will consume Dumbo, your clown prez. Otile is right, and his diction is his choice! Didn't ugly OBJ hand over Bakassi? From Awo to Banokle, same clouth. Shut-up your ewedu mouth!
Revolution in Nigeria
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 2, 2011 - 12:45.
The occupy Nigeria should not be only on fuel subsidy it should be on a good law to fight corruption and a one year completion period for all roads in Nigeria to be resurface to international standard that will create jobs. All power projects should be completed at the agreed time. And 40% of law makes allowance should be cut with immediate effect. if not a revolution like the Arab spring should be the ultimate.
WHO PAYS MINIMUM WAGE IN NIGERIA?
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 2, 2011 - 12:41.
WHY IS THE SO CALLED MOVEMENT ALWAYS PRETENDING TO TO FOR THEMASSES ALL THE LABOUR LEADERS ARE MULTIMILLINAIRES, ALL THE MULTINATIONALS IN NIGERIDO NOT PAY MINIMUM WAGE WHY?BECAUSE THE SO CALLED LABOUR MOVEMENT DOES NOT THE MEANING OF MINIMUM WAGE. MINIMUM WAGE MEANS THAT AS LONG AS YOU WORK YOUR PAY MUST NOT BE LESS THAN THE MINIMUM WAGE EVEN IF IT IS 8 HOURS A MONTH YOUR PAY MUST BE CALCULATED BASED ON THE MINIMUM WAGE,
CAN ANYBODY BELIEVE THAT GIANTS LIKE UTC, COCA
COLA, PEPSI, GBO , JULIUS BERGER, G. CAPPA. ETC. DO NOT PAY MINIMUM WAGE.AFTER ALL LESS THAN 20% OF WOKING NIGERIANS WORK IN THE GOVERMENT, WHAT IS LABOUR DOING ABOUT THIS NATIONAL DISGRESS?
ANOTHER PROGRESS OMO-AGEGE AND FREDRICK MOSHESHE
Submitted by OCCUPY WARRI EXPERIENCE !!!! (not verified) on December 2, 2011 - 12:38.
OCCUPY AFRICA NOT ONLY NIGERIA. FREDRICK MOSHESHE AND PROGRESS OMO-AGEGE OCCUPIED WARRY AND GOT APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE AND LEFT THE UNEMPLOYED GRADUATES TO THEIR FATE . WELL YOU CAN ALSO OCCUPY NIGRIA AND GET A LICENEC TO IMPORT FUEL , THEN FORGET ABOUT NIGERIAN MASSES. DONT WORRY , ALL OF YOU, SOON UNA CUP GO FULL. OCCUPY KO OCCUPY NI.
SUBSIDY
Submitted by Patrick Agbobu (not verified) on December 2, 2011 - 12:00.
These people are in another planet, all they are saying is, dip your hands as usual, into the excess crude account or go and borrow externally again. They forget that he who goes aborrowing goes assarowing and that the excess crude account is not a bottomless pit. If you investigate these so called deficit, it is the money they want to loot and steal. One day we will wake up one morning and find out that Nigeria is stone broke, then I will want to see what they will loot and steal.
SUBSIDY
Submitted by Patrick Agbobu (not verified) on December 2, 2011 - 11:59.
These so called members should be realistic. They should look at the facts and figures. Subsidising feul is not only bad for the environment, but it is also bad economics. Feul should be taxed instead of subsidising it. In any event, the so called subsidy only benefits, a very few persons in some very high quarters. What the members should do is, to properly mornitor the money derived from subsidy and make sure that it is not looted and stolen as usual. The members should insist that the subsidy money, is directed to specific or named and verifiable economics developement projects. The members are asking the Presiden,t to go and sourse funds for the deficit.
Originality
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 2, 2011 - 11:40.
I totally support any movement that will cause the Nigerian government to act in a manner that respects the wishes and well being of the Nigerian people, however, i would have loved it if the conveners had shown some originality in selecting the name or tag of the march. 'Occupy Nigeria' is so copied that the reasons for which 'we' Nigerians will march will be misconstrued with the reasons for which people in Europe and America have marched agaisnt their governments. 'We no go gree' as a tag shows a whole lot more why we march thna 'occupy Nigeria', there are several other possible names. Please apply some originality.
not only Biafra needs to go
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 2, 2011 - 11:31.
Please interview any body you see on the street the probable solution to this Nigerian problem. They will not hesitate to tell you that we are incompartible in this group called nigeria. Why can't we call a spade a spade and have our rest
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