NAAT cautions FG over planned removal of fuel subsidy

Victor  Duruamaku  Owerri

National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) have cautioned the Federal Government of Nigeria over it’s  planned total removal of  oil subsidy by next year, 2022

The  NAAT’s  Caution  is contained in the  communique  issued  and signed by the President, Comr Ibeji Nwokoma, and made available to newsmen, Monday in Owerri,  Imo State after the 48th regular meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Association

It said, “subsidy removal at this point in time would further dwindle the nation’s economy, and put the ordinary man in a precarious condition”

The  Association also  urged the Federal  Government on non-payment  of earned  arrears of allowances ,to use the 2009 FG/Universities based unions agreement strictly in sharing of the earned  allowance (EA) arrears

In addition  the communique said  the Association  and also called for the implementation of the allowances as contained in the agreement.

NAAT enjoined the Federal Government and its relevant agencies responsible for the payment of the minimum wage arrears to expedite action and pay in order to avert another industrial action

On the  new  Omicron variant of COVID-19, NAAT called on the public to be aware and conscious of the pandemic  which it  noted  is more  dangerous  than  the COVID itself reiterating  its earlier position on not making vaccination compulsory but rather people should be encouraged to go for it.

The communique  said, ” NEC has approved and perfected an arrangement to reward and encourage academic performance across Nigerian tertiary Institutions”

According  to  the  communique, the arrangements includes giving merit awards to the best graduating students in science and technology-related courses in three universities and a College of Education in each of the six geopolitical zones commencing from March, 2022.

The communique reads,”NAAT commended  the Federal Government efforts in its fight against insecurity and urged them to intensify more efforts in curbing the menace.

“NAAT commends the Federal Government for releasing the revitalization fund to universities and calls for its appropriate utilization.”

“NAAT commends the Federal Government for the on-going construction and repairs of federal roads across the country and calls on state governments to emulate these efforts.”