The Coalition of Civil Societies Organisation (CSOs) for fuel subsidy has supported the subsidy removal by the Federal Government, but called for holistic approach in ensuring public education on the gains.
The coalition in a news conference on Thursday in Abuja, said that record had shown that about 70 million litres of fuel were consumed daily by Nigeria’s estimated 200 million people.
President Bola Tinubu had announced the subsidy removal during his inaugural speech at the Eagle Square on May 29 in Abuja.
The news conference was jointly addressed by the National Chairman of the group, Mr Blessing Oyefeso, the General Secretary, Mr Felix Idowu and other top executives.
The chairman of the coalition, Oyefeso said that though the above claims had been refuted by analysts many times, adding that fuel subsidy payment remained the stumbling block to Nigeria’s shared prosperity.
Oyefeso, who doubled as the Executive Director, Nigeria Youths in Politics, said that there was need to understand as a developing nation, the havoc and economic setback caused by fuel subsidy regime.
This, he said, was practically on the political growth and on the existence as a nation.
According to him, the pain of today is the key for tomorrow’s prosperity.
“As a people, we have come to the conclusion to count the gains of fuel subsidy removal against the colossal loss and economic retrogressive effect of fuel subsidy on Nigeria’s economic emancipation.
“On this note, we, the CSOs lend our voice in support of fuel subsidy removal, having weighed the pros and cons, and the shenanigans that mar fuel subsidy regime.
“We hereby resolve to educate the public on the gains of this laudable move of the Federal Government. To influence public attitude for policy acceptability.
“To also advise the Presidency on measures and palliatives that will ameliorate the economic effect on the everyday people,” he said.
Oyefeso urged the presidency to hasten the on-going stakeholders’ consultation framework and roll out the right policy incentives that would put smiles on the common man’s face.
This, he said, would also ensure transparency during the implementation stage and not make the same mistakes of past administrations when deploying the incentives to the people.
“We encourage state governors to follow the footsteps of Governors AbdulRazaq and Obasaki of Kwara and Edo States who have reduced the number of work days.
“That is, public servants would have to commute to their workplaces from five days a week to three days a week, among other measures.
“Election has come and gone, it’s time for opposition stakeholders to rally around the development agenda of Nigeria above any political interest.
“The labour unions on the other side must be critical of the government and be non-partisan as they negotiate for the people and not their personal interest,’’ he said.
Oyefeso said that the group would engage all sides in a robust discourse that would enable the common man to understand the advantages of fuel subsidy removal to our economic development.
Representatives from other CSOs lauded Tinubu’s resolve on fuel subsidy removal and called for support from everyone, saying all hands must be on deck to achieve a great nation.
Africa 247 also reports that no fewer than eight CSOs were present, including Nigeria Youth in Politics, We are United and the Young Shall Grow Youth Orientation.