TO RESIST THE WICKED & ANTI-POOR INCREASE FUEL PRICE!
-
REJECT IMF/WORLD BANK POLICIES OF PRIVATISATION & DEREGULATION!!
SYSTEM CHANGE THROUGH SOCIALISM IS OUR GOAL!!!
Joint Action Front (JAF)
10, Afolabi Lesi Street, Anthony-Ilupeju, Lagos
08035068524, 08033347962,
1. The Joint Action Front (JAF), the pro-Labour civil society partner of Labour (NLC & TUC) hereby calls on the Nigerian working people, the
oppressed poor, students, traders,
professionals, women, unemployed youth, farmers, artisans, Muslims, Christians
and faith
based organisations to prepare to use MASS ACTIONS to REJECT, RESIST and DEFEAT the latest imposition of hardship,
punishment and miserable existence on their lives by the deceptive and
anti-poor people Buhari regime with its wicked increase in fuel price from
N86.50 to N145 on May 11, 2016.
2. JAF rejects this wicked increase
which is a product of the capitalist neoliberal policies of Deregulation. A
policy of deregulation, at all times, is meant to punish the working people and
the poor, whose lives have been made miserable by recent hike in electricity
tariffs, arrears of unpaid salaries, lack of social security and welfare,
commercialisation of education and healthcare, poor living conditions, job
losses and unemployment, etc. Deregulation, just like privatisation, is
dictated by greed, profits and looting of the few rich cabals at the expense of
increasing the sufferings of the poor masses and working people.
3. JAF recalls that the in run down
to the 2015 general election, when the Buhari-APC appealed to the Nigerian
people, with its deceptive change-mantra, we cautioned that: “Irrespective of the party that wins the
presidential election, the crisis in the economy is bound to continue because
the economic agenda of the two major parties (PDP and APC) remains dependent on
oil and capitalist policies of privatisation and deregulation. These policies
are operated and championed by servants of the World Bank and the International
Monetary Fund (IMF), whose main business is to steal our national wealth for
the use of the exploiters in Europe, United States of America, Japan, Asia,
etc. These agents cannot defend the working people, the poor and the oppressed
anywhere”.
4. Equally, JAF stated then, and we
are further resolved that: “the
Change we want will UNITE the vast majority of our people under a government
that will organise the working people and oppressed poor to boost our
productive capacities and will use the resources for sustainable economic and
social advancement; thereby reversing our economic dependency and restoring our
dignity as an independent country. The Government of the working people will
take care of all Nigerians no matter where they come from, their religion,
where they live, and their sex. It will care for all Nigerians dehumanised by
the rule of the oppressors”.
5. As we engage our labour partners,
with effect from the day of the imposition of the wicked increase on
harmonising views for a joint programme of resistance to the new fuel price,
JAF is resolved to undertake independent course of actions that should ensure,
not only reversal of the fuel price from N145 to N86.50; but to struggle to
Defeat the capitalist policies of austerity measures targeted at the poor and
the working people. In addition, JAF is resolved on a long-drawn struggle with
the working people and the poor for political power and to urge Nigerians to
raise the alternative banner of Socialism for REAL CHANGE.
6. We urge our affiliates and allies
to hold MASS MEETINGS and sensitisation rallies, preparatory to the declaration
of our Programme of Action soonest. To this effect, the JAF Oyo State
kick-started today a protest march from the University of Ibadan gate through
Bodija to mobilise the people in Oyo State for the impending nationwide action.
7. JAF therefore urges Nigerians to
REJECT, STRUGGLE & DEMAND the followings:
7.1
Immediate
and unconditional reversal of the hike in fuel price from the N145 to the
N86.50.
7.2
That
Government has a responsibility to make the 4 Refineries to work and build new refineries
in order to ensure that availability of petroleum products (petrol, diesel, kerosene, aviation fuel,
etc) at cheaper and affordable prices
to all.
7.3 Immediate reversal of electricity
tariff hike and end to estimated/crazy billing system
7.4
Total
Reversal
of the capitalist policies of Privatisation and Deregulation, which have been
responsible for improper functioning of the local refineries, looting by
government officials and fuel marketers through fuel importation and subsidies;
and the collapse and fraudulent hand over to private profiteers of public enterprises, such as PHCN, NITEL, Nigeria Airways, Nigerian Ports
Authority, Ajaokuta Steel, Osogbo Steel Rolling Mill, Itakpe Iron and Ore,
Tafawa Balewa Square, National Arts Theatre, Trade Fair Complex, ALSCON,
Nigerian Newsprint Manufacturing Company (NNMC), Daily Times, etc.
7.5
INSIST
that Government, should in obedience to Section 16 of the 1999 Constitution on
Economic Objectives, respects the provisions that state that:
· Section 16 (1) (b) – “control of the national
economy in such manner as to secure the maximum welfare, freedom and happiness
of every citizen …”
· Section 16 (1) (c) – manage and operate major
sectors of the economy.
· Section 16 (2) – the State shall direct its
policy towards ensuring that: [Section 16 (2) (c)] –the economic system
is not operated in such manner as to permit the concentration of wealth; or
means of production; and exchange in the hands of few individuals or of a group.
7.6
Massive
Public investments in industrialization and infrastructure
(energy, rail, road, and mass housing) to enhance millions of employment
opportunities and wealth creation.
7.7
INSIST
that public investments
in the energy sector (fuel and electricity) and other public sectors can be efficient if they are under the democratic control and management of
committees of workers, consumers and representatives of the government;
who would ensure that they are not opened to looting and collapse as was
evident in the previous regimes of Obasanjo, Yar’Adua
and Jonathan.
7.8
Provision
of a National Minimum Living Wage as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution, adequate funding of public education and healthcare, and respect for collective agreements reached with Labour
unions.
7.9
Struggle
to END the unjust system of capitalism and its failed policies and to bring
forth a new POLITICAL and ECONOMIC ORDER under the JUST
SYSTEM of SOCIALISM that will end the era of
Privatisation, Deregulation, looting and exploitation by the corrupt capitalist
ruling cabals in
order to ensure that the
wealth of the country is
judiciously used to benefit the majority working population
(formal and informal sectors) and the oppressed poor.
PREPARE & JOIN OTHERS TO ORGANISE&
PREPARE FOR MASS ACTION
NOW!
DARE TO STRUGGLE, DARE TO WIN!
DR. DIPO FASHINA
Comrade ABIODUN AREMU
JAF
Chairperson
JAF Secretary
