While some use Facebook, others chose Twitter and Yfrog to
name a few of the social media networks on the Internet to distribute
information.
This came as the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC),
the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) and
National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) have variously denied rumours make a
round that services, especially on the Blackberry offering would be cut off to
avert impending revolt by Nigerians using mobile technology devices in communicating
during the strike.
Even as NBC said every station has the right to cover
protest, but must ensure that the interest of the nation takes prime position.
ITRealms Online investigations at the weekend revealed that
since the proclamation of the removal of fuel subsidy on Sunday, January 1,
2012 by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan administration, Nigerians have taken
solace on the Internet to share information especially their hardship following
the removal.
Whereas some Nigerians have asked the Jonathan government to
cut government waste rather than removing fuel subsidy as his New Year gift to
Nigerians, others insisted that charity must start at home with the Presidency
cutting on the cost of governance at the Aso Villa.
A public statement made available to ITRealms Online by some
civil society organisations, government, they said should make petrol
affordable, maintaining that it’s the only thing government do as it does not
provide water, electricity, good roads, good health care facilities or good educational
opportunities.
The civil society group also said that the removal has
forced an increment which has doubled across the country including the cost of
transportation, food, health care, and cost of running businesses in addition
to the cost of generating electricity through the generating sets, whereas most
salaries is now worth at least 35 per cent less as goods and services have
tippled on average.
According to the group, although the minimum wage remain
N18,000, the government at all levels have not implemented this wholesomely,
contending that the government could save money by cutting waste and tackling
corruption, most of which exist in the public service.
They noted that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
(EFCC) is currently prosecuting former Speaker of House of Representatives, Mr.
Dimeji Bankole, former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, his
counterpart from Oyo State, ex-police offer, Adebayo Alao-Akala among others
for over N200 billion.
Equally, they argued that the government disburses N250
billion per year as ‘security votes’ to the President and Governors, which they
could spend at will.
The 2012 budget, they pointed out has allocated approximated
N1 billion to purported ‘feeding’ for the president and the vice president,
while the same budget allocated N1.7 trillion wage bill and N675 million to
generate power in the Aso Villa and VP’s residence respectively.
They, therefore, urged Nigerians to join the protests in
their cities, send a Short Messaging Service (SMS) to share their opinion on
0816666222 and 08120006622 as well as send an electronic mail to
info@eienigeria.org.
Remmy Nweke
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
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