NIGERIA: Youths in Nigeria's Niger Delta demonstrate in support of the federal government's decision to remove fuel subsidies

Record ID: 235466

  • Title: NIGERIA: Youths in Nigeria's Niger Delta demonstrate in support of the federal government's decision to remove fuel subsidies
  • Date: 13th January 2012
  • Summary: YENOGOA, BAYELSA STATE, NIGERIA (JANUARY 13, 2012) (REUTERS) DEMONSTRATORS WITH PLACARDS STANDING ON MAJOR ROAD LINK DEMONSTRATORS HANDING LEAFLETS TO MOTORISTS ON THE ROAD ONE OF THE PROTEST ORGANISERS, FAMOUS DAUNEMIGHA, STANDING ON TRUCK WITH MICROPHONE ELECTION POSTER (SOUNDBITE) (English) DEMONSTRATION ORGANISER, FAMOUS DAUNEMIGHA, SAYING: "The removal [of the subsidy] will make our refineries to work, the siphoning of our funds will be re-directed for development of our entire country." BANNER READING IN ENGLISH "EX-MILITANTS 3RD PHASE SUPPORT SUBSIDY REFORM" YOUNG MEN WALKING DOWN ROAD, SOME CHANTING IN ENGLISH "NO WORK, NO PAY" (SOUNDBITE) (English) JULIUS JONATHAN, A MAN WHO SUPPORTS THE REMOVAL OF SUBSIDIES, SAYING: "The subsidy - we are in support of the president. As far the president of the country has taken a decision, the country should give him a chance. Change is the only permanent thing. At a time like this, we are going to give a little, let us give him a little time. I know this president - I believe his word." DEMONSTRATORS HOLDING UP PLACARDS DEMONSTRATORS HANDING LEAFLETS TO MOTORISTS IN CAR PLACARD READING IN ENGLISH "ALLOW SUBSIDY REMOVAL TO SAIL THROUGH" (SOUNDBITE) (English) DEMONSTRATOR JOSEPH AMBAKEDEREMO, SAYING: "So we are still in the hands of the fifth columnists and their programme, that is what is happening in there today. So we are appealing to them to come back to the house on the round table and decisions can be made amicably. That's all we are saying." VARIOUS DISABLED MEN IN WHEELCHAIRS PROTESTING IN SUPPORT OF THE SUBSIDY REMOVAL (SOUNDBITE) (English) DISABLED MAN, SHEDRICK JOSIAH, SAYING: "We are in full support of Goodluck transformation agenda and we are on the streets calling labour to call off the strike. We support the removal of fuel subsidy. It is for our good." VARIOUS OF DISABLED PEOPLE HOLDING POSTERS YOUTHS HOLDING UP POSTERS
  • Embargoed: 28th January 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Nigeria, Nigeria
  • Country: Nigeria
  • Topics: Economy,Politics,Energy
  • Reuters ID: LVA574N2NNZUS8G6ALAUY0LY3AEG
  • Story Text: Youths in the Niger Delta in southern Nigeria on Friday (January 13) held a protest in support of the decision taken by the federal government to remove of fuel subsides.
    About 1,000 youths held a rally in the state capital, Yenogoa, to appeal to labour unions to re-think on their opposition to the removal of oil subsidies.
    Famous Danemougha, a supporters of the Congress for Progressive Change party, said removing the subsidy will be beneficial to the economy.
    "The removal [of the subsidy] will make our refineries to work, the siphoning of our funds will be re-directed for development of our entire country," he said.
    One man who supports the removal of subsidies, Julius Jonathan, said: "The subsidy - we are in support of the president. As far the president of the country has taken a decision, the country should give him a chance. Change is the only permanent thing. At a time like this, we are going to give a little, let us give him a little time. I know this president - I believe his word."
    Demonstrator Joseph Ambakederemo said: "So we are still in the hands of the fifth columnists and their programme, that is what is happening in there today. So we are appealing to them to come back to the house on the round table and decisions can be made amicably. That's all we are saying."
    Shedrick Josiah, one of a number of disabled youths who took part in the demonstration, said: "We are in full support of Goodluck transformation agenda and we are on the streets calling Labour to call off the strike. We support the removal of fuel subsidy. It is for our good."
    Taking part in the demonstrations were Ijaw youths, who share the same ethnic group with President Goodluck Jonathan
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