•As residents applaud suspension of EFCC boss

A Professor of Development and Sociology at the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Sofiri Peterside, has tasked President Bola Tinubu to initiate policies that would address hunger, deprivation, continuous closure of higher institutions, among others, in the country.

Peterside, in an interview with The Guardian, yesterday, expressed dissatisfaction that these challenges, which have constituted serious crisis in the country, were not featured in the President’s speech on Democracy Day.

The don noted he had expected the President to make public some measures to cushion the effect of subsidy removal, which, unarguably, has brought severe pains and hardship among citizens.

He recalled that during the President’s Democracy Day broadcast, he said his administration would make massive investment in infrastructure, education, regular power supply and other public utility to improve quality of life of citizens, with no emphasis on strategic measures to cushion the effect subsidy removal on the people.

Peterside stressed: “ I felt disappointed, because I know the politics behind the subsidy. I also know that there are very senior people in the country who live on that. If government wants to address that, the President should have brought up some measures to cushion the effects. I had expected that those measures would have been in the public domain today so that citizens would know what is there for them.” Another resident, Paul Dumbari, said it is necessary for the President to establish workable plans to fulfilling his promises, especially ways to cushion the impact of fuel subsidy removal.

He said: “As he removed the subsidy, he should put modalities in place to check its effects on citizens. Only talk and assurances won’t alleviate our pains and sufferings.”

MEANWHILE, residents in the state have applauded Tinubu for suspending the Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa.

A resident, Mike Kpobari, in an interview, said the action was apt, pointing out that the former EFCC boss was sentimental and tribalistic in his actions and activities, lacking accountability.

He expressed hope that his successor would enthrone accountability and transparency in activities of the agency.