Subsidy: PAN Backs Jonathan

The National Coordinator of Patriotic Alliance of Nigeria (PAN), Chief Maxi Okwu, on Monday urged organised labour and Nigerians to accept President Goodluck Jonathan’s latest decisions on fuel subsidy removal.

In his Monday broadcast to the nation, the President had announced a new pump price of N97 per litre for petrol, as against the earlier price of N138, his administration’s commitment to cutting down costs of governance as well as to sanitise the petroleum industry.

Okwu who said PAN represents the opposition political parties in Nigeria, appealed to Nigerians to show more understanding with the Federal Government.

He told newsmen in Lagos that PAN “accepts the President’s speech and had called its  members off the street.

The coordinator described the President’s speech as an interim manifesto for Nigeria, which if followed strictly, would lead the country to the promised land.

“If the President’s speech is implemented, it will change the face of Nigeria,’’ Okwu said.

He, however, lamented the human and huge financial losses arising from the strike.

In his comments, a human rights lawyer, Mr Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), told newsmen that basic demands of the labour unions were recognised in the President’s speech.

He urged the union to design new strategies to engage the government more meaningfully.