With curfew already imposed on three states of the federation, a rising death toll and the shutdown of the economy; an alarmed Senate, worried by the turn of events, yesterday rose from an executive session with a mandate that its leadership urgently meet with President Goodluck Jonathan for the immediate suspension of the full deregulation of the downstream sector of the oil industry and its associated removal of subsidy on petrol.
The senators mandated the President of the Senate, David Mark to lead other principal officers to a meeting with President Jonathan and advise him to settle for April 1, 2012 as the effective date to commence the zero-subsidy regime in the light of the prevailing circumstances.
The lawmakers it was learnt, gave Mark and his team,24 hours to sort out the debacle with the President and report back to plenary.
Sources at the session which lasted for more than one hour, disclosed that the senators were concerned about the gridlock and near shut down of the nation’s economy, which the ongoing strike has caused the nation.
They were also said to have been worried that the subsidy withdrawal failed to take cognisance of the prevailing security situation in the country. Consequently, the Senate suspended other matters for the day’s proceedings to allow its leadership continue the dialogue it already initiated with organised labour since Monday night.
Senator Mark who acknowledged the unpopularity of the subsidy removal among the Nigerian people, averred that the economic argument in support of fuel subsidy removal was compelling. He however added that the political and social imperatives must be considered.
“On the other hand, this government is compelled by a genuine drive to transform the country and expand opportunities for economic growth. In order to overcome this impasse, it is imperative that we engage each other honestly on this issue. In line with this, during the recess, I directed the Senate Committee on Labour, Employment & Productivity to interface with labour groups. I had also urged individual Senators to engage with Labour and Civil Society Organisations.
“The Senate leadership has also been interfacing with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) as well as the Executive.
These talks are ongoing and I hope it will lead to an outcome that will be in the best interest of Nigerians,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Leader of the Senate, Senator Victor Ndoma Egba (SAN) yesterday explained why the upper chamber was yet to take a position on the removal on fuel subsidy unlike its lower chamber counterpart.
He noted that, “The Senate was more focused on ensuring that the nation makes progress, rather than skirting round the issue of whether we support it or not.”
As of press time a LEADERSHIP source hinted of an ongoing meeting at the residence of Mark involving labour leaders with the Attorney-General of the Federation and minister of justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, Labour Minister, Chief Emeka Wogu. and other Senate leaders.
The Senate also confirmed plans to debate the frightening state of insecurity in the land and other issues of national importance today; even as the Senate President warned of an imminent danger when people are encouraged through inflammatory statements to move from one region to another on the basis of faith and ethnicity.
Meanwhile, worried by the threat to the peace of their respective states, and following in the footsteps of the Kano State government, the governments of Oyo, Kaduna and Zamfara states have imposed curfew in their various states.
The Oyo State government declared a 12-hour curfew in the state with immediate effect. The curfew would take effect from 7pm to 7am.
The government made this known in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Akin Olajide who stated that the curfew became necessary to secure lives and properties of the people of the state.
It noted that some hoodlums and miscreants, under the sponsorship of some politicians, had perfected plans to hijack the anti-fuel subsidy removal protest to threaten the security of the state, especially at night.
“While the government appreciates the rights of the citizens to protest, the protection of lives and property of citizens is imperative,” the statement said.
In Kaduna, a 24-hour curfew has been imposed in the state, following a violent protest by some youths, made up mostly of almajiris and the underage.
The government said it took the decision after an emergency security meeting chaired by the state governor, Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa.
Briefing journalists at the Government House, the state Commissioner of Police Kaduna State Command, Mr. Ballah Magaji Nassara said, “We have realised that the strike over the removal of fuel subsidy has been hijacked by persons other than those committed to the cause.
“The demonstration which began peacefully yesterday, today turned violent. The people of the state were harassed, intimidated and installations vandalised.
“In view of these unfortunate situations, the Kaduna State Security Council has no choice than to impose a 24-hour curfew in Kaduna Metropolis and its environs with effect from 9 pm Tuesday, 10th January, 2012.
“This measure becomes imperative in order to safeguard lives and properties of innocent citizens. Government is urging all citizens of the state to remain calm, lawful and stay at home until further notice,” the government stated.
In Zamfara, while normalcy is said to be returning to the state, the curfew imposed by the state government meanwhile is to run from 7pm to 7am.
Perhaps moved by the high incident of killings as a result of the civil disobedience against the zero-subsidy policy, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday directed security chiefs in the country to wade into the violence that led to the loss of lives in the on-going mass protests and industrial action staged by NLC,TUC, organised private sector and the civil society with a view to bringing those responsible for the massacre to book.
The call came just as Wogu hinted that, option was still open for dialogue between the Federal Government and the organised civil groups in order to shelve the strike which has crippled activities in the country.
The Inspector General of Police (IG), Mr. Hafiz Ringim, who disclosed the outcome of the meeting between the security chiefs and President Jonathan while speaking to State House Correspondents at the Presidential villa, Abuja, gave NLC a clean bill of health, saying the violent situation which led to the killings across the country was the handiwork of miscreants and not organised labour.
Backing up his explanation with photographs, Ringim said, “I have spoken to you on the two incidences that led to the death of rioters. They were not part of the NLC people.
The NLC while in Kano went to the race course. Some miscreants went to the Government House. I will show you the photographs gentlemen if you’ll just permit me. Look at these; these are photographs. Clearly, you can see over 30 vehicles were burnt in the Kano Government House… Look at this. (displaying photographs) This is a fence 4rm the Government House.
“Would you look at this and say this is the work of NLC?
No gentlemen. This was certainly not the work of NLC. This was the work of miscreants who wanted to burn, maim and loot. And the police have a responsibility to maintain law and order and that’s what we did,” he said.
On the young man that was reportedly killed by the police, the IG said, “I have ordered for an investigation and that is what I’m supposed to do. After the investigation, I have made a promise that the result will be made public and whoever is found culpable would be charged to court.”
On the number of deaths recorded so far, the IG said, “As far as I know, as far as the records are concerned, three people have so far lost their lives. However, if you have any other dead bodies, please bring them forward, but the ones on record are three.”
Defence Minister, Haliru Bello Mohammed urged Nigerians to continue to live where they were and shunthe ultimatum issued by the Boko Haram sect, as arrangements have been made by the security forces to protect them anywhere in the country.
“Government is very concerned and all measures are being taken to alleviate the situation, in fact we are on top of the situation,” he added.
And as the already fragile economy continues to be the worst hit of the strike which entered its third day today (Wednesday), Professor Pat Utomi said Nigeria had been losing $800m daily.
Estimating that the economy may have lost close to $2.4billion, Utomi responding to an SMS sent to him yesterday on the impact of the ongoing strike on the economy, warned that if the strike continues indefinitely, it could worsen the already comatose economy.
“Taking the size of GDP and discounting for offshore oil production that will likely go on, it will be about USD800m,” Utomi told LEADERSHIP.