The National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Plateau on Monday commended residents of the state over their peaceful conduct throughout the NLC nationwide protests.
The NLC had called for street protests to force the Federal Government to revert to the old fuel pump price of N65 per litre.
The price of the commodity had gone up to between N138 and N150 after government removed subsidy on fuel from Jan 1.
People in other states took to the streets, residents of Plateau remained calm and opted to rather sit at home to observe the strike.
Mr Musa Chantu, NOA State Director, who made the commendation,?while briefing newsmen on Monday in Jos, described the conduct of Plateau residents as very unique.
The situation would have been like other places without the collective resolve of the people to remain peaceful.
He also commended security agencies for their untiring efforts toward peace in Plateau, and particularly lauded the directive to people to observe?the strike?in their homes.
The NOA director, who charged the people not to deviate from their current resolve, also called on them to show?understanding with government,?as its position was for the good of the people.
“The president himself acknowledged the fact that people were suffering, but he also gave the assurance that the results would make up for the sacrifice.”
He stated, however, that the furor that greeted the removal of the subsidy would not have arisen if enough awareness was created before the action.
“I will advise that people should get the subsidy reinvestment document and study it so as to take informed decision on the policy,” he said.
Chantu called for patriotism on the part of people and accountability on the part of the government in the implementation of the deregulation policy.
“I am appealing to the government to continue the fight against corruption because palliative?would not work if corruption is not tackled,” he said.
The NOA chief advised government to also take the issue of security seriously, pointing out that insecurity was more devastating than the fuel subsidy removal.
?
