Fuel Scarcity Protest: MOSIEND urges engagement, not protest

An Ijaw group, Movement for the Survival of Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND), has called on civil society organization’s and those planning a protest against the a nationwide fuel scarcity occasioned by the importation of contaminated fuel by the NNPC to sheathe their sword and tow the path of peace.

Comrade Thompson Fuoye, National Vice President of MOSIEND, in a statement on Monday after a meeting of its executive, advised civil society groups , ethnic nationalities and other restive groups to constructively engage the authorities rather than embarking on protest.

According to Fuoye, discreet findings by MOSIEND revealed that the NNPC was culpable in the importation of contaminated fuel due to negligence which it took exception to; however, the group calls for understanding as the NNPC was doing all within its powers to see that the scarcity was resolved.

He noted that due to heightened political activities in the country, it would be unnecessary to engage in any form of protest or civil unrest, adding that such action would only compound the hardship being experienced by the people.

The MOSIEND National Vice President maintained that the group has resolved not to be part of the planned protest but rather to support and propel NNPC to do the right thing to end the fuel scarcity.

He noted that the going ahead with the planned protest would rather bring untold hardship and pains to the citizens, insisting further that the protest could be infiltrated and hijacked by unscrupulous persons who may cause mayhem.

“Whereas we condemned the fact that the contaminated fuel came into the country due to negligence by NNPC, MOSIEND, with due diligence in trying to find out the cause was angry with the NNPC.

“It is clear that at this time of our nation’s history, where things are tough and harsh in the country, it will be quite unnecessary to allow protest to hit the country.

“Definitely for every protest that you make, shops will be closed, transporters will stop work, the road will not be open for people to move. For these reasons, we are asking our brothers in the civil society organizations and every other organization considering putting up a protest to sheathe their sword and to see that protest is absolutely unnecessary at this time.

“We ask everybody to look beyond the politics surrounding the issue, we are asking everybody to support and give peace a chance and, of course, we do understand that the NNPC is trying, under the leadership of GMD, Mele Kyari and all other top management, because nobody would want to bring hardship to his people. So we are asking that whatever protest of any kind should be suspended.

“As for MOSIEND, we do not want to protest; we are not part of any protest and of course we are going to do everything possible to support the NNPC and the system to make sure that the scarcity is brought to a stop. We have resolved to partner, encourage and to propel the NNPC to do the needful to end the current scarcity,” he concluded.