Akwa Ibom youths have been urged to accept the removal of subsidy on petrol as the proceeds would bring multiplier effects and benefits to them.
Obong Emmanuel Mbong, a youth activist, gave the advice on Saturday in Eket while addressing youths on the strike called by the organised labour and civil society bodies on the removal of subsidy on fuel prices.
Mbong, who is Secretary of Eket-based Supreme Council of Youth Leaders,? urged the youths to shun violence and await an amicable resolution of the dispute between labour and government that would end the strike.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that youth leaders in? Eket, Southern Akwa Ibom,? mobilised the youths in the area to enlighten them on the fuel subsidy debate and to discourage them from joining the strike.
Mbong said that when market forces were allowed to determine the price of petroleum products, the industry would attract private-sector investment in refineries in oil-bearing areas and provide jobs for youths in the area.
He said that youths were the major beneficiaries of the subsidy removal and urged them to resist any attempt to be used to foment trouble by the few who had exploited the nation while the subsidy lasted.
Mbong explained that the subsidy removal would provide more funds for the government for job creation, provision of infrastructure, including electricity and roads, as well as reduction of infant and maternal mortality.
He urged President Jonathan not to be deterred by opposition to government policies by those who wanted the subsidy regime to continue and enrich themselves to the detriment of the masses.
“Jonathan should deal decisively with the so-called cabal and interest groups who are against the policy, because they have been feeding fat on the subsidy regime for decades now,” he said.
Mbong called on the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress to call off the nationwide strike in the overall interest of Nigeria and the economy.
According to him, the country cannot afford an elongated strike now considering the security challenges facing the nation.
He, however, advised Jonathan to urgently implement the palliative measures to assuage the harsh effects of the sudden withdrawal of subsidy which, he said, had resulted in an increase in the prices of goods and services.
He also appealed to Nigerians to “show understanding and bear with the government as the pains experienced today is temporary”.
?