The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

Tag: subsidy removal

  • Uzodinma Says APC Governors Are Behind Tinubu On Removal Of Fuel Subsidy

    Uzodinma Says APC Governors Are Behind Tinubu On Removal Of Fuel Subsidy

    The Progressive Governors’ Forum has thrown its weight behind the federal government on the decision to remove petrol subsidy, stating that President Bola Tinubu respected the law by enforcing the removal.

    The APC governors’ decision was disclosed by the newly elected Chairman of the forum, Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State.

    Speaking to House correspondents after a meeting with the President today, Governor Uzodinma stated that the president simply obeyed existing laws as he urged Nigerians not to politicize the issue.

    He, however, expressed displeasure over the sudden hike in petrol prices following the president’s inaugural speech, affirming that the 2023 Appropriation Act did not provide for subsidy payment beyond June this year, but it is a liability taken over by the Tinubu administration.

    He also noted that the situation will abate when market forces come into play and Dangote refinery comes on stream by June.

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  • Don’t remove subsidy until Nigeria begins to refine locally – NUPENG to FG

    Don’t remove subsidy until Nigeria begins to refine locally – NUPENG to FG

    Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, has warned the Federal Government not to contemplate the removal of the subsidy on petrol without local refining capacity, in view of its socio-economic implications on businesses and ordinary Nigerians.

    This was contianed in a communiqué by NUPENG leaders at the end of the Union’s National Executive Council, NEC, meeting in Lagos, which deliberated on the state of the nation, especially after the conduct of the 2023 general elections and the increasing statements from Nigerians on the intention of the Federal Government to end the Petroleum Motor Spirit, PMS, subsidy regime, among others.

    The communiqué by President and General Secretary of NUPENP, Prince Williams Akporeha, and Afolabi Olawale, said: “NEC-in-Council also examined the recurrent discussions for the removal of subsidy from the PMS, and expresses deep concerns over the failure of the Federal Government to do the needful as severally advised by organised labour that deregulation of the PMS should not be predicated on importation of the product because of all the obvious negative impacts on the socio-economic life of the people and nation in general.

    “The Council-in-session expressed disappointment over the failure of government to deliver on its promises of making the three national refineries work before contemplating the removal of the subsidy on this very important economic item in view of the enormous implication and the impact on the economic activities and considering the socio-economic importance of PMS to ordinary Nigerians.“

    “The NEC-in-session reaffirms that in as much as our inion is not averse to the removal of PMS subsidy, the Federal Government must ensure that our local refineries are put into full operation before a such major policy decision is taken in the interest of the generality of Nigerians.”

    On the just concluded general elections, NUPENG vowed to resist any attempt to foist interim or undemocratic government on Nigeria after May 29, as being speculated, expressing concerns over the increasing and unending spread of hate, ethnic and religious bigotry by politicians, religious leaders, elites and the youths in the periods leading to and after the conducts of the 2023 general elections at the detriment of the peace, unity, and coexistence of the people of Nigeria.

    The union said: “The NEC-in session affirms that the 2023 general elections marked another watershed in the democratic journey of our nation wherein the youths adequately mobilised and participated in the electoral processes, and wherein the political parties of 20 sitting governors lost to opposition parties and quite unlike before wherein seven sitting governors lost their bids to become Senators, after their tenure expired as governors of their respective states.

    “The council-in-session admits that without any doubt, there are still some irregularities in the conducts of the election but opines that rather than fan embers of division and disillusionment among Nigerians, patriotic Nigerians should rise in unison to galvanise the citizenry to mend broken relationships and heal whatever wounds might have been inflicted on one another and collectively strive towards improving our electoral processes as we move forward.”

    (Vanguard)

  • FG suspends removal of fuel subsidy

    Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, said yesterday that the Federal Government has suspended removal of fuel subsidy.

    She said the government had made provisions for subsidy in the 2022 budget from January to June this year, adding that government will forward a request to the National Assembly to make additional provisions for fuel subsidy from July this year till a time deemed appropriate for its eventual removal.

    According to her, all payments on fuel subsidy ordinarily would cease as from July, 2022.

    The minister spoke as the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, pleaded with the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, and Trade Union Congress, TUC, to shelve the planned strike schedule for Thursday nationwide against fuel subsidy removal.The NLC, however, insisted yesterday that the planned strike would go on, saying it will not believe government until the suspension of subsidy was effected.

    The union also petitioned the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NGF, giving reasons for insisting on the scheduled protest.

    ‘Problematic timing’

    However, Mrs Ahmed, who disclosed this at a meeting with the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, at the National Assembly complex in Abuja, observed that in view of the timing which is “problematic”, the Federal Government decided to suspend its plan to go ahead with the removal of subsidy on petroleum products in July, particularly against the backdrop of outcomes from ongoing consultations.

    She added that the Federal Government is exploring alternatives to premium motor spirit as well as pushing to step-up the country’s crude oil refining capacity.

    Ahmed, in company of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resouces, Mr. Timipre Sylva, disclosed that efforts are also underway by the executive arm of government to forward a request to the National Assembly to make additional provision for fuel subsidy from July this year till a time deemed appropriate for its eventual removal.

    Also at the meeting were Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi and the Deputy Whip, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, CEO of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority, Farouk Ahmed, Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Mele Kyari, and CEO of the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe.Others include the Special Assistant to the President on Natural Resources, Habib Nuhu, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Aliyu Shehu Shinkafi, and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Nasir Sani-Gwarzo.

    Mrs Ahmed said: “Let me start by stating the fact that we did make a provision in the 2022 budget for fuel subsidy from January to June. And that suggests that from July, there would be no fuel subsidy.

    “This provision was made sequel to the passage of the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA, that has made provision that all products will be deregulated.“Subsequent to the passage of the Act, we went back and amended the Fiscal Framework that was submitted to the National Assembly to incorporate this demand, but after the budget was passed, we have had consultations with a number of stakeholders.

    “It became clear that the timing is problematic, that practically, there is still heightened inflation, and also removal of subsidy will further worsen the situation, thereby, imposing more difficulties on the citizens, and the President clearly does not want to do that.“What we have to do now is to continue with the discussions we are making, in terms of putting in place a number of measures, one of which is the deployment of an alternative to Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, and also the roll-out of enhanced refining capacity in the country, including the 650,000 barrels per day Dangote Refinery and also the rehabilitation of the four national refineries that have a combined capacity of 450,000 barrels per day.

    “The increased refining capacity in the country means we will need to import less products. But also as we are discussing right now within the Executive the possibility of amending the budget, we may need to come back to the National Assembly by way of amendment to make additional provision for fuel subsidy from July, 2022, going forward, or to whatever period that is agreed as the right time.

    “Also, while we are exploring ways and means through discussions with various stakeholders in the executive as well as the civil societies and labour unions by which we can address this removal in a manner that is graduated and will have as minimal impact on the citizens as possible.

    “So, we will come back to make further amendments on the fiscal framework as well as in the 2022 budget.”

    Lawan urges NLC, TUC to shelve planned protests, says its unnecessary

    Speaking earlier in his welcome address, President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, urged the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, to abort the planned protests against the Federal Government’s proposed removal of fuel subsidy, saying the move was “totally unnecessary”.

    He faulted the timing for the planned removal of subsidy on petroleum products, stating also that in as much as the administration and management of subsidy on petroleum products were flawed, President Muhammadu Buhari’s government believed that sufficient planning must be carried out before its eventual removal.

    Lawan, therefore, called on Labour unions, such as the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, to shelve the planned protest rallies, adding that the Federal Government had no plan of removing the petroleum subsidy now.

    He said: “The position of everyone in government today is that admittedly, subsidy administration and management are flawed because of so many reasons. Admittedly, the burden is huge and massive and there is need at one point to do away with the subsidy. Even though our economy is growing, we still have the challenge of getting things to be better for our people.

    “A lot of us in this administration believe that the issue of removal of subsidy should be handled with utmost care, especially that sufficient planning needs to be done. Significant arrangements for absorbing the shocks that will come with the removal should be done, that the timing should be such that the impact and consequences will not add to hardship. We all believe in this and the President leads us in this feeling.

    “What we are saying is that this is not the time. All of us are of the same opinion and, therefore, there is nothing like confusion or lack of understanding within government circles. We all agree that the subsidy is abused and, therefore, it is a challenge to us as an administration to deal with the abuse, to find appropriate means of stopping it. After this meeting, there will be other ones, all in search of ways and means of ensuring that the ordinary Nigerian does not suffer any hardship, that when the subsidy will be removed eventually, it would be at such a point that the hardship will be very minimal and taken care of by several programmes.

    “It is not about NLC, we are talking about every Nigerian. We are concerned beyond the Nigerian Labour Congress. I am taking this opportunity to appeal to the TUC and NLC to shelve this plan to go on strike or demonstration, it is totally unnecessary. There is not going to be removal of subsidy, so there is no need for this. Please, let’s not create unnecessary tension where there should be none. I appeal to them using this medium, to please forget about this January 27, 2022, deadline because there is no need for any deadline. We are supposed to come together and work assiduously to ensure that our country is stable, and our people enjoy the benefits of government programmes and projects, and that whatever decision would be taken will be in the best interest of our people and protecting the most vulnerable among us.”

    NLC insists on Thursday’s nationwide protest

    Reacting to the development yesterday, the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, insisted that the nationwide protest over the proposed fuel subsidy removal would go ahead as planned, saying it was not strike but an avenue to inform workers and masses its view on petrol subsidy and deregulation of the downstream sector of the petroleum industry.Congress said it is not swayed by the report that the Federal Government had shelved its planned subsidy removal and hike in the pump price of premium motor spirit, PMS, otherwise known as petrol.

    Speaking to Vanguard, NLC’s General Secretary, Emma Ugboaja, said: “We are not distracted by the report that the Federal Government has shelved its plans to remove subsidy on petrol and increase the pump price of petrol because seeing is believing. We are going ahead with our planned nationwide protest on Thursday.

    “The government has all mechanism and means for communication and information. The government has the resources to take advertorials in newspapers, radios, televisions, commission writers, columnists, opinion writers, and so on to propagate their position. All we have is the ability to gather massively for information.

    “This protest is not a strike. It is about gathering en masse to inform our members, Nigerian workers and masses, how we feel about subsidy on petrol, increase in the pump price of petrol, total deregulation of the downstream sector of the petroleum industry.

    “So, Thursday’s protest will go ahead as planned.”

    Not surprising, political decision with economic consequences – Muda Yusuf, CPPE CEO

    Also reacting yesterday, Dr Muda Yusuf, CEO, Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, CPPE, said the policy reversal was not surprising, adding that it was based on obvious political considerations but will come with economic consequences.Yusuf, who was former Director-General of Lagos Chamber of commerce and Industry, LCCI, stated: “The capitulation on the subsidy removal did not come as a surprise. There were too many odds against the move.

    “There were obvious concerns about the potential political cost to government and the ruling part. There were worries about the social cost given the excruciating poverty in the country. There was also the waning goodwill required by government to enlist the support of the people. The whole subsidy story became a political economy matter. It was moved from the realm of economics and investment to the political realm. The outcome was predictable, especially with impending general elections next year.

    “But the economic cost of the capitulation is equally weighty. The truth is that you cannot eat your cake and have it. We should expect the cost of funding the subsidy to be much higher this year because of the surge in crude oil price. If the oil price remains high for most part of the year, the subsidy cost could go as high as N2.5 trillion or even more by the end of the year. This would surely affect funding for critical infrastructure such as roads, railways, healthcare education, and even security.

    “The petroleum products smugglers, beneficiaries of the fiscal leakages in the fuel subsidy ecosystem and their collaborators will continue to smile to the banks for the next one and half years. Some states would struggle to pay salaries, especially states that are heavily dependent on federal allocation. Some may have to lay off some of their work force. Many will struggle to meet their financial obligations as sub-nationals.”

    NLC petitions govs, gives reasons for protest

    Meanwhile, leaders of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, yesterday petitioned the 36 state governors, informing them of Thursday planned nationwide protest against government’s planned removal of subsidy on petrol and further increase in the pump price of petrol.

    In a six-page petition by the President and General Secretary of NLC, Ayuba Wabba and Emanuel Ugboaja, respectively, the union detailed the controversy surrounding subsidy removal dating back to 1999, culminating in the current imbroglio between government and labour after Nigerian workers, through their elected representatives, signed an agreement with the Federal Government on September 28, 2020, to freeze further increases in the pump price of petrol.

    It lamented that following the prompting of the International Monetary Fund, IMF, and the World Bank, after a few weeks of interaction with government on this critical national matter, government suddenly adjourned further discussions sine die.

    According to the union, the situation has remained the same for nearly two years now as government treats inquiries and promptings by organized labour with levity, disdain and contempt. NLC urged the governors to prevail on the federal government to jettison planned subsidy removal, among other demands.

    The petition read: “The Federal Government should demonstrate seriousness and commitment to overhauling our local refineries as a lasting panacea to mass importation of refined petroleum products, importation pricing model, and a host of lost opportunities, official corruption and self-inflicted dislocations occasioned by mass importation of refined petroleum products into Nigeria.

    “Governments at all levels in Nigeria should take immediate steps to improve governance and public accountability in order to regain the confidence of Nigerians that the cardinal constitutional mandate of guaranteeing the welfare and security of Nigerians has not been traded off. Nigerian workers understand that government pays out significant amount of money as petrol subsidy.

    “Nigerian workers also appreciate the fact that the monies spent on petrol subsidy would be totally unnecessary if government is alive to its responsibilities of proper management of critical national assets, especially our local refineries.

    “It is the mismanagement of our four public oil refineries over the years by successive governments that has opened the floodgates of mass importation of refined petroleum products and consequently, unfurled incessant increases in the prices of refined petroleum products in Nigeria.

    “The fact is very clear, there is no way a country can control the price of what it does not produce.

    “For a critical national security product like petrol and other refined petroleum derivatives, the situation is akin to handing over our national sovereignty to other climes. There is no better description of neo-colonialism and toxic neo-liberalism than this.

    “The situation has remained the same for nearly two years now as government treats inquiries and promptings by the organized labour with levity, disdain and contempt.

    “This is why Nigerian workers were completely taken aback by the sudden proposal by government to increase the pump price of petrol. Coincidentally and curiously, the declaration by the Nigerian government to increase the pump price of petrol came a few days after the same demand was made by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

    “Clearly, the Nigerian government is more interested in listening to foreign vested interests than engaging with the Nigerian people.

    “Organized Labour in Nigeria as a responsible social partner, is willing and ready to work with government to find enduring solutions to the crisis in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector and other areas of challenge in governance.

    “It would be a great relief for organized labour if government meets us halfway in this regard.

    “The current protest holding nationwide on January 27, 2022 ,is only geared at alerting government on the sufferings that Nigerians are going through and the additional insufferable trauma that Nigerians would be subjected to if the government goes ahead with the hike in the price of refined petroleum products.

    “From our foregoing submissions, there is no reason Nigeria, like other nations of the world, should not utilize the comparative advantage of crude oil which is our domineering foreign exchange earner as a strategic national asset for improving the lots of the Nigerian workers and the ordinary citizens of our great country.

    “We plead that Your Excellency should use your position as a member of the National Economic Council, NEC, to convey our foregoing persuasions and demands to the Federal Government.

    “We also warn that Nigerian workers would have no other choice than to down tools once the government goes ahead to force another round of petrol price increment on Nigerians. Nigerians have suffered enough.”

    (Vanguard)

  • Confusion trail planned fuel subsidy removal

     

    Nigerians seem to be at crossroads over the move by the Federal Government to suspend payment of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly called petrol.

    President Muhammadu Buhari had in August 2021 signed the Petroleum Industry Bill into law, signaling an end to petrol subsidy.

    But in what looks like a dramatic twist, the Senate President, Mr. Ahmed Lawan, had last week during a meeting with Buhari, said the President has not authorised the removal of fuel subsidy.

    Nigerians and stakeholders alike were still dissecting the comments of Lawan when they were confronted with another position of the National Executive Council (NEC) which suggests that the Federal Government may not be in a position to continue with petrol subsidy.

    If the recommendation of the ad-hoc committee of NEC was implemented by the Federal Government, it might increase the price of petrol to N302 per litre in February.

    This position, however contradicts the stance of the Federal Government as put forward by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, that funding of petrol subsidy will continue till June because it has made provisions for it in the budget.

    Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State said the Federal Government was spending about N2 trillion on petroleum subsidy annually.

    The governor said the amount could have been used for other purposes, adding that petrol, which sells for N162-165 per litre in Nigeria, is 100 per cent higher in other countries.

    According to him, the NEC wondered whether that should be allowed to continue in a situation where, he pointed out, only two-thirds of the states of the federation consume the subsidy.

    Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, said: “As you are aware, the issue of subsidy has been one matter that NEC has deliberated on for more than a year now.

    “There was an ad-hoc committee, which was set up by NEC headed by Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State that included members of the Executive arm of government.

    “The committee worked on recommendations as to what we should do about the cost of PMS locally because as you realise, as has been told us, the cost of PMS in Nigeria today is about N162 per litre, whereas every other country surrounding Nigeria is selling the same product at more than 100 per cent of the cost in Nigeria.

    “And the country as at last year spent in excess of N2 trillion subsidising petroleum products. That is money that could have gone into building roads, money that could have gone into healthcare and education.

    “So, for NEC, the arguments have been put out: should we continue this regime of spending money we do not have to subsidise the living standards of only mostly those who have vehicles?

    “And when NEC looked at some of the analysis last year, we then realised that less than 1/3 of the states of this country consume two-thirds of the subsidy.

    On his part, former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, has warned against removing fuel subsidy, saying the decision will push more Nigerians into poverty.

    Abubakar stated this at the 19th Daily Trust Dialogue in Abuja, last week.

    The recommendations were put forward by the NEC ad-hoc committee interfacing with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) on the appropriate pricing of petrol in Nigeria.

    Commenting on the development, Abubakar said: “The expected fuel price increment will push more Nigerians into poverty.

    Over 80 million Nigerians are still cut off by poverty. Nigeria faces a food crisis worsened by the global COVID-19 pandemic.”

    The Nigerian Labour Congress(NLC), which has consistently warned against subsidy removal, also last week reiterated its earlier position against the move.

    NLC Chairman in Ebonyi State, Mr. Ikechikwu Nwafor, warned that the planned removal of fuel subsidy and subsequent increase in fuel price would affect every facet of life, including transportation, cost of food items, clothing, housing and others.

    Nwafor stated that it was high time Nigeria fixed its own refineries, adding that Nigeria can end the importation of fuel in the country if it can have the refineries working.

    “We should understand that this is not the right time to increase the pump price when the cost of living is already difficult. Prices of food commodities are already beyond the capacity of civil servants.

    “How will the civil servants, who are the engine of the economy, cope?

    “What we are telling the Federal Government is to consider the consequences of the increase on the masses and the current economy,” Nwafor said.

    He warned that the increase is going to affect every facet of life, including transportation, high cost of food items, clothing, housing, among others.

    He also stated that the NLC Chapter in Ebonyi State plans to embark on a protest on January 27, urging all Nigerians and Ebonyi state to rise against the removal of oil subsidy and hike on fuel price.

    “Of course, the increase is going to affect all citizens and we are saying no to it,” he said.

    Meawhile, the Organised Private Sector of Nigeria (OPSN) recently presented three prerequisites that will ensure a rancour-free removal of the fuel subsidy and prevent economic disruption and industrial disharmony in the country. The OPSN comprises Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN); Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA); Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA); Nigeria Association of Small Scale Industries(NASSI) and Nigeria Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME).

    Proffering ways to ensure a rancor-free subsidy removal, its Chairman, Taiwo Adeniyi, said: “The controversy being generated by fuel subsidy is getting to a crescendo and it will be important to guide government and other stakeholders.

    “While there are proponents and opponents of the fuel subsidy regime, three things are indisputable: the fuel-subsidy regime seems fraught with corruption, with few petroleum importers benefiting. The subsidy payment is a huge leakage from the revenue portfolio of the nation and there is a need to address it urgently to free up needed funds for development. The resuscitation of the four refineries that millions of dollars had been invested in their Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) or outright sale of the refineries to private investors to enhance their sustainability.

    “Specific relieves to address the anticipated drastic reduction in the citizen’s disposable income and standard of living. It is expected that an increase in fuel price will have a direct and immediate consequence on transportation and costs of foodstuff, amongst others.

    The touted N5,000 monthly stipend to 40 million poorest of the poor will most likely aggravate tempers. A more sustainable, well-thought-out relief should be proposed.’’

     

    (Sun)

  • NLC threatens to shut down activities if FG increases fuel price in 2022

     

    Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had after its organs’ meetings recently threatened to shut down activities nationwide should the Federal Government increase the pump price of petrol in 2022.

    Secretary General of the Association of Senior Civil Servant of Nigeria (ASCSN), Bashir Alade Lawal, in an interview with Daily Sun, yesterday,  vowed that the threat by labour would be enforced saying  it would be detrimental to the overall well-being of citizens to allow the government  have its way on the policy.

    He said an increase in pump price of petrol would exacerbate crime as petrol was like an exchange rate which affected every facet of life in the coun

    “Our response to the proposed fuel price increase? It should be spontaneous. We would not play to the gallery. We are already down and they want to add to the problem. Nobody is going to run out of the country. We are all going to be here to see the consequences of what they are planning,” he said.

    Lawal said labour does not believe in the government’s planned palliative of N5,000 to 40 million Nigerians to cushion the effect of the planned increase in price of petrol.

    “They are not going to give anybody anything. I can say it with every sense of responsibility. The last one they did, they set up a palliative committee in which I was a member.  Initially, what they told us was that there was N600 billion palliatives fund in the kitty which we are going to appropriate to different sectors of the economy to cushion the effect of COVID-19.

    “Our own memo, that is TUC, was about 50 something pages, while NLC was higher. The two of us met to harmonise it. After our second meeting at Bolton Hotel in Abuja, I stopped going for the meeting because I was dumbfounded when the NNPC man said nobody promised anything. Till now, nothing has come out of it.  They are just deceiving us with lies. They won’t give anybody any N5,000.”

    The labour leader said measures ought to have been on ground and running  for at least one year before the government could come up with this policy,  so that the effect would not negatively affact citizens.

    “But here, we don’t have anything like that. You see, it’s a normal thing to subsidise things because it happens globally. But now they have removed almost everything. So at the end of the day almost 70 per cent of the resources of the state that should have gone to all these areas, they now appropriate it to themselves. With that, they have more than enough to share and that is why they are misbehaving and people are suffering.”

    NLC at its meetings in Abuja penultimate Friday had scheduled a nationwide protest for January 27 and February 1, but with a clause that it would not wait till then should the announcement on fuel price hike come before the scheduled dates.

    The NLC charged the government to promote local capacity to refine petroleum products for domestic use.

     

     

     

     

    Source: www.sunnewsonline.com

  • Don’t over burden Nigerians through fuel subsidy removal

     

     

    THe Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has cautioned the Federal Government against further aggravating the suffering of Nigerians through the proposed subsidy removal.

    Its President, Bishop Wale Oke, noted that the implementation of such a policy could increase the hardship being experienced, especially by the masses.

     

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    He also contended that the planned introduction of N5,000 for 40million poor Nigerians would create a cesspool of corruption.

     

    This caution was contained in a statement by his Media Office, and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the Oyo State, yesterday.

     

    Oke, who is the Presiding Bishop of the Sword of the Spirit Ministries international, with headquarters in Ibadan, lamented that prices of consumables and other items were increasingly becoming out of reach, noting that if the proposed subsidy removal is effected, it would heighten the hardship.

     

    “Everybody will feel it, particularly the underprivileged. The negative effects will surely outweigh the positive. The cost of transportation for human and goods across the country, will skyrocket and other things connected, which will have a spiral effect on general living standard of the populace; the suffering will be multi-dimensional. Please let all stakeholders be sensitive to this avoidable path and do the needful.”

     

    He admonished the government to do all it could to revive the four ailing refineries in the country, with a view to ensuring they operate at optimal level for a lasting benefit, for the country and its people.

     

    “By whatever means, let the Federal Government put its heart into ensuring that our refineries are back to life. In addition, in order to stem the rising cost of living, farmers and others connected to them should be encouraged. This is what can help our economy,” he stressed.

     

    While maintaining that the Christian body would always support policies that would enhance good governance, he charged the government to put in place tangible palliative measures that could ameliorate the hardship being experienced.

     

    “Without begging the issue, there should be well defined palliative measures in place that can cushion the effect of the hardship being experienced by Nigerians, especially the commoners. One is not talking about political palliatives that never last. We have seen enough of such.

     

    “An increase in the price of petroleum from its present N165  to N340 per litre, can trigger tension and crises in the country, which in turn can paralyse our economy if not handled with utmost care.Again, the planned introduction of N5,000 for 40 million poor Nigerians, is to create a cesspool of corruption. How do you define ‘the poor? They, mostly, don’t use telephones. They, mostly, don’t have bank accounts. How will the money get to them?”

     

    He advised government to be wary of policies that could jeopardise the conduct of the 2023 general elections, insisting that all hands must be geared towards steering the wheel of the country to safety.

     

    He also implored the government not to relent in its efforts at ensuring that security challenges in the country become a thing of the past.

     

    Meanwhile, President of Vision Africa, Bishop Sunday Onuoha, has blamed the socio-economic and political challenges ravaging Nigeria and the world on lack of love and tolerance.

     

    He stated this at the  annual harvest thanksgiving of the Methodist church Nigeria, Cathedral of Unity, Diocese of Abuja, yesterday.

     

    He stressed that Nigeria is one and must learn to forgive each other in order to be  able to regain its lost sweetness.

     

    “For this country is regain its lost glory and move forward economical, we must learn how to forgive each other. Once we have a group of people, offence must certainly occur. So, there is need for us to continually forgive ourselves.

     

    “We don’t need to be discouraged due to the level of crisis in the country because God is still in charge and is out to deliver the country. We need to love ourselves.”

     

    The clergy, therefore admonished Nigerians not to be discouraged, adding that God is still in charge ànd is set to redeem Nigeria.

     

     

     

    Source: www.sunnewsonline.com