The federal government yesterday maintained that it has no other option in saving the country from tottering into an economic eclipse than the removal of fuel subsidy and the deregulation of the downstream sector of the oil industry.
It appealed to the labour unions and civil society groups to call off the strike action and protest, saying they were adding pains to the people of Nigeria, as in some places, undesirable elements outside their domain have plunged themselves into the forefront and are creating lots of security problems in some states.
Information minister, Mr. Labaran Maku who made government’s position known while briefing State House Correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the presidential villa noted that, while the process of dialogue was continuous, labour should reason that the policy of deregulation was not an option that the government arrived at in comfort or happiness.
“It is not an easy decision, he (Jonathan) has explained how painful and difficult it is, but our county is not left with options. We still appeal to Nigerians particularly those that are at the head of the protests like labour, civil society groups and all other elements who have also come on board in recent days to understand that we are dealing with the future of Nigeria.”
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