Following the hike of fuel prices as a result of subsidy removal, the Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Dr Garba Abari has asked the 37 State Directors to redouble their efforts in sensitising Nigerians on the effects of petroleum sector deregulation.
Dr Abari gave this charge on Wednesday evening while meeting with the 37 State and FCT Directors of the NOA with the theme: ‘Re-Evaluating National Orientation Agency’s Advocacy and Sensitization Strategies on Fuel Subsidy Removal’.
Abari said upon the heels of the announcement of the removal of subsidy on petrol, the NOA immediately activated its state structures to carry advocacy to Religious Leaders, Traditional Rulers, women and youth groups, markets, motor parks, media houses and opinion moulders in various communities across the country.
He said the Agency carried out robust sensitization across the country on the Petroleum Industry Act in an effort to prepare the minds of Nigerians on what to expect in the unfolding petroleum industry eco-system.
“We did the sensitization on the petroleum industry act in anticipation of the shock that might ensue when full blown deregulation of the sector sets in as we are presently experiencing.
“Based on the reports that I am receiving from the state directorates, it will appear that the sensitization process needs to be sustained so as to forestall backlash from the public owing to lack of awareness”, Dr Abari said.
“Directors of the National Orientation Agency, while appreciating you, I want to call upon you to redouble your efforts on sensitization on the subsidy removal.
“We need to sustain the sensitization on subsidy removal as well as the advocacy to get public buy-in. The recent price hike in the price per litre of petrol is being seen by the public as another increase in the price of petrol by the public, this is a wrong impression and the public needs to be re-oriented on this perspective.
“What is actually happening is the new reality in the petroleum industry eco-system under deregulation. Prices will go up and prices will come down depending on market forces.
“This is the reality under deregulation and the people need to be aware. You as State Directors need to actively seek opportunities to explain this on radio and television”, the NOA Boss added.
He however, urged the media to support NOA by providing speaking opportunities as public service in the interest of our country.
Abari explained that the engagement with Directors of the NOA is aimed at enabling feedback on the sensitization and advocacy carried out so far by the NOA across the country on the issue of subsidy removal so as to enable them re-evaluate their strategies and re-position themselves for the great task ahead.
He said no doubt there would be hardship and the people need to be made aware of why things are happening the way they are happening.
“At the end of this engagement we will develop a special report reflecting the situation across the country in the aftermath of the fuel subsidy removal for the benefit of decision makers at the highest levels of government”, he noted.
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