Date: 2012-01-11

Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed has advocated dialogue as the only weapon capable of resolving the current fuel subsidy crisis in the country, just as he commended the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), for staging a peaceful demonstration to express their grievance on the fuel subsidy removal.

Addressing the anti-subsidy removal rally by the labour unions and civil society groups, led by the State Chairman of the NLC, Comrade Faruq Akanbi, at the Government House, Ilorin, yesterday, the governor said solution to the current problem can only be achieved through dialogue.

 "I salute your courage because you have demonstrated sufficient maturity in demonstrating your legitimate reservations on the issue on ground", he said.

The governor assured the protesters that government has their interests at heart, admitting that as Nigerians, we all have a right to good life, good security, proper education and health care delivery.

Alhaji Ahmed observed that though the removal of fuel subsidy may be accompanied by temporary pains, it would surely bring long term benefits.

The issue of subsidy, the governor disclosed is a lingering problem that ought to have been dealt with long ago, arguing that Nigeria is not supposed to subsidize consumption but production.  "It is only production that can be regenerative and create employment, provide food, electricity, better education and guarantee security", he said.

He assured the labour unions and the civil society groups that their letter of protest would be delivered to the presidency while cautioning them of taking laws into their hands, as demonstration.

Earlier, the State Chairman of NLC, Comrade Faruq Akanbi had expressed dissatisfaction on behalf of the protesters with the removal of fuel subsidy by the federal government, saying this has inflicted pains on Nigerians.

Before embarking on fuel subsidy removal, Comrade Akanbi urged President Jonathan to turn around the existing refineries to function at full capacity and build new ones, fix the roads and improve the education sector.

A major highlight of the peaceful protest was the presentation of a protest letter to Governor Ahmed by the State Chairman of TUC, Comrade Israel Adebisi for onward transmission to President Goodluck Jonathan.

11/01/2012