Subsidy palliatives should go beyond cash, says CAN

Forum 9 months ago

Subsidy palliatives should go beyond cash, says CAN

The Christian Association of Nigeria on Friday called on the Federal Government to ensure that the fuel subsidy palliatives being considered went beyond cash transfers.

The organisation called on the government to consider the introduction of mass transport services across the states to reduce the cost of transportation as the multiplier effect of this would be profound.

“Government should take measures to reduce the price of fuel. Such measures should include removal of unnecessary levies and taxes on imported petroleum products, the stabilisation of the foreign exchange market and putting back our local refineries to functional and effective use,” CAN said in a statement by its President, Daniel Okoh.

While appealing to Nigerians for more patience, it called on the government to take urgent steps to ameliorate their sufferings.

The statement added, “The Christian Association of Nigeria, therefore, commends the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for showing commitment towards building a united, peaceful and progressive Nigeria.

“Given the massive corruption that had characterised the fuel subsidy regime over the years, there was a consensus that the removal of fuel subsidy had become inevitable if the Nigerian economy is to experience sustainable growth.

“However, it was also generally agreed that this must be done in such a way that Nigerians will not be subjected to untold hardship. In other words, what is idealistic must be balanced with what is realistic.

“Government should engage with critical stakeholders in a meaningful dialogue to explore sustainable solutions to the current situation. It is pertinent to develop comprehensive economic policies that promote inclusive growth, job creation, and social well-being.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress, Delta State Council, has called on the state government to urgently provide palliatives to the state workforce as a measure to cushion the hardship imposed on workers by the fuel subsidy removal.

In a statement by the state Chairman of the NLC, Goodluck Ofobruku, the council condemned the incessant increment in the pump price of fuel and other refined crude products in Nigeria, noting that the increment was an unnecessary infliction of suffering on the common man especially workers whose salaries were fixed.

Similarly, the Kogi state Chairman of the Trade Union Congress, Ahmed Tijani, has appealed to the Federal Government to provide support for the suffering masses.