By EZEKIEL OBI, Abuja –
The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria (COCSON) and the Bloggers and Vloggers, Content Creators Association (BAVCCA) have kicked against the planned protest by 1000 lawyers and various ethnic and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) groups concerning the recent fuel hike and scarcity issues.
Recalled that the lawyers had accused the Group Managing Director of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited, Malam Mele Kyari as responsible for the recent hike in fuel price and scarcity.
Reacting to the development in a joint statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, the BAVCCA Director of Administration, Abimbola Ademola and the National Secretary of COCSON, Mustapha Ahmed, said the planned protest by 1000 lawyers and other ethnic/CSO groups is unfortunate and ill-advised
The statement reads in part: “Today, the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria (COCSON) and the Bloggers and Vloggers, Content Creators Association (BAVCCA) gathered to express their unwavering support for Mr. Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPC), amidst the threatened protest by 1000 lawyers and various ethnic and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) groups concerning fuel hike and scarcity issues.
“COCSON and BAVCCA firmly believe that Mr. Mele Kyari has demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to the betterment of Nigeria’s petroleum industry. Under his guidance, NNPC has made significant strides in ensuring stability, accountability, and efficiency in the distribution and management of petroleum resources.
“We understand that the recent increase in fuel prices has caused hardship and raised concerns among the Nigerian people. However, we firmly believe that these measures, adopted by NNPC and the Federal Government, are necessary to navigate the challenges posed by global economic fluctuations and to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Nigerian petroleum sector.
“The threatened protest by 1000 lawyers and other ethnic/CSO groups is unfortunate and ill-advised. We urge these groups to engage in constructive dialogue with NNPC and other relevant stakeholders, rather than resorting to disruptive actions that may undermine the progress made by Mr. Mele Kyari and his team.
“We would like to highlight that the Nigerian petroleum industry is a vital pillar of the country’s economy, and any disruption caused by protests or strikes will only worsen the situation and negatively impact the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
They however, called on all Nigerians to support the efforts of Mr. Mele Kyari and NNPC in ensuring the availability and accessibility of petroleum products across the country.
“Together, we can work towards finding sustainable solutions to the challenges faced by the industry, without resorting to protests that may potentially undermine the national interest.
“COCSON and BAVCCA remain committed to promoting transparent governance and accountability in all sectors of the Nigerian economy. We believe that dialogue, collaboration, and understanding are the key to addressing the concerns of the people and working towards a prosperous nation”, the statement said.
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