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Prominent Nigerians warn against politising subsidy crisis

By Seye Olumide
18 May 2016   |   4:04 am
While Asiodu called for ‘structured dialogue’ on the crisis, Olayinka urged Nigerians to be cautious about the planned industrial action by the Nigerian union of workers.
Buhari

Buhari

Prominent Nigerians including former Minister of Petroleum, Chief Philip Asiodu, a chieftain of the Lagos chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Amos Olayinka and Dr. Goke Adegoroye have warned against attempts to politisise the ongoing crisis over the fuel price increase.

While Asiodu called for ‘structured dialogue’ on the crisis, Olayinka urged Nigerians to be cautious about the planned industrial action by the Nigerian union of workers.

The former minister urged the Nigerian workers union to exercise patience and allow room for proper education and enlightenment of Nigerians on the issue.

Asiodu said the reason the country continued to battle with the subsidy crisis over the years was because Nigerians have not been adequately educated on the issue and unfortunately at every opportunity when the issue could have been trashed out and resolved, it ended up being politicized.

The former Petroleum Minister spoke who with The Guardian on telephone said, “There is no point adding more pains to Nigerians by calling for strike. More dialogue should be done to enable Nigerians see reason why the oil sector should be deregulated to break the cartels of those benefiting from the subsidy.”

According to him, “The Nigerian masses including the workers who were planning to protest are not in anyway benefiting from the subsidy as the Federal Government is no longer in position to continue paying the subsidy. The situation calls for serious dialogue.”

Olayinka said any industrial action for now would not translate to anything concrete or meaningful result at the end of the day but rather add more pains to the embattled Nigerian masses.

Adegoroye, a retired permanent secretary and CEO Governance and Sustainable Development Initiatives (GSDI), said the fuel price hike would enable the country to see the end of the cartel in the oil sector who have been feeding fat on the subsidy for a long time.

According to him, “Buhari’s decision was the best and the most courageous any Nigerian leader has taken. It would be beneficial to the country and the masses.”

6 Comments

  • Author’s gravatar

    This is to inform the general public that 3xCementt is now sold Direct from factories for promo price of 1000 Naira per bag, Buyers can order a minimum of 100 bags Trailer Load of 600 bags and 900 bags and above contact sales manager Olakunle Alakeh on O 8 O 3 3 9 5 1 O 9 3 Assistant Sales Manager Mrs Adeleke Abimbola on O 7 O 1 1 1 2 8 9 9 O to get 50kg rice for 5000 Naira Minimum is 20 Bag and above Note Delivery is two working days.

  • Author’s gravatar

    Why will you not support it. You can afford to buy pms at 10000 per litre. There are people earning 10,000 and less per month, with their children in school, living in another man’s house, buying food for their children, clothing their children, they go to hospital or use herbs when sick. Why not consider them before you support the new price.

  • Author’s gravatar

    Again the problem with this kind of policy is that there is no education of the people. Where is the president on this huge national issue. why hasn’t he personally spoken to the people, sent out his minister to explain in details the reasons for the deregulation, the goals for regulation, and the helps that would be provided to Nigeria to reduce the effects.