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Subsidy Removal: The Need To Remedy The Situation

By His Grace, Archbishop Dr R O Adigbo JP

The faulty aspect of fuel subsidy can not be overemphasised. It has become convincingly obvious that it was an organised crime. However while subsidy removal could be justified, one should expect that such a far reaching decision ought to have been prepared for with all mechanisms of control over cost and prices of commodities in the markets being fully in place.

It is no more a news that the removal of fuel subsidy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has since the day of his inauguration brought about not only the skyrocket price of petroleum products but also untold hardship, price hike and total economic crash in the nation.

That is because no adequate remedial modalities were put in place to ameliorate the possible attendant effects of the subsidy removal, it therefore makes the declaration not only hasty, but also impromptu . This has consequently put the average Nigerians in a very tight corner that people now gasp for breathe in their own nation. Just yesterday, a trip that used to cost me N3,000 now amounted to N10,000 for just fueling alone and it is no longer funny to the common Nigeria people.

The cost of transport is now over 300% on the increase which has consequently shoot the price of other logistics up to the sky and so the selling price of every other commodities in the market have responded in the same direction. People hardly complete a square meal in the present day Nigeria and this is not only sad but also pathetic.

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The fact that the political class are provided with impress allowances that cover their food, clothing, travelling, vehicular and other daily expenses which wears them a proof against the suffering of the masses, hence they have little or no concern about the plights of the populace.

The ruling class should not forget that they were voted to serve not only the people but also God and as such when the people are happy with the policies, then God also will be happy with them because the Bible says ‘when the righteous are in power, the people rejoice’ but today the reverse is the case. They should also consider their relatives who live in the streets of Nigeria, suffering the same fate with the common Nigerians, because no one sleeps in peace when his neighbour’s house is on fire.

For Labour leaders to keep mute about the situation, could be construed or misconstrued that they have compromised due to settlement by the government or they are oblivious of the suffering of the people. They should rise to their responsibility of saving and defending the masses from obliteration and also to gain credibility as true representatives of the Nigerian suffering workforce.

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Only a few days ago I read that, the federal government has set aside a monthly palliative of N8,000 for 12Million households for the entire federation; I mean, what for? What can N8,000 buy in the present Nigerian market that can provide succour for a full family in a month? This is laughable, the new government that is well received by Nigerians should be very careful not to subject itself to public ridicule and mockery. In this regard, members of the holy clergy should tow the path of honour by speaking the truth to government irrespective of their political interest or party affiliation.

The government ought to have put in place price control mechanisms, provide transport vehicles at reduced costs and other devices to cushion the instant attendant effects of the subsidy removal on the people of Nigeria before the implementation of the subsidy withdrawal.

The subsidised sum amounting to Trillions of Naira that is now removed by the government could be used to revamp, and revitalise our moribund refineries and put them to good use. Or is that a task too herculean for government to undertake? It is not too late to go back to the drawing board and address the suffering of our people.

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I suggest that the government should as a matter of urgency address the hike of prices, reduce cost of transportation by providing pocket friendly transport shuttles across the country and other measures to help cushion the effect.

As I am writing this article information just reached me that the price of the fuel pump has further increased, meaning that the already ugly and unacceptable situation has been worsened and if this trend is not quickly and adequately addressed by the government, we will need to ask ourselves where are we heading to as a nation-disastrous destination?

That is why the new government ought to have been punctilious in her policies and decisions vis-a-vis the effects on Nigerians otherwise Nigerians shall be compelled to question the rationale behind the ostentatious and affluent lifestyle of the political class while majority of Nigerians live in abject poverty, hardship and suffering. A stitch in time saves nine.

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