President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced the end of subsidy in Nigeria in his inauguration speech on May 29, 2023. The removal has no doubt brought untold hardship to average Nigerians. Experts agree that this, among others, is the sacrifice we must make for the country to move forward. I agree that ever-increasing subsidies can no longer be justified in the wake of drying resources.
Thus, the sum of N500 billion has been extracted from the supplementary budget of N819 billion for the provision of palliatives by the President. This has raised a lot of concern among Nigerians, looking at how unpatriotic elements misused or abused palliatives during covid-19 era in the previous administration. Sadly, no one was subsequently punished for the infraction.
In my humble opinion, rail transportation is a viable option that, if considered, will reduce the hardship presently experienced by the populace.
It has the potential to be more cost-effective and sustainable. Indeed, one of the main advantages of rail transportation is its ability to transport large numbers of passengers or goods in a single trip compared to other modes of transportation. This efficiency can no doubt help reduce the present unfortunate hardship.
Again, the cost of commodities will drastically reduce especially in the transportation of perishable items from one location to another.
I, therefore, call on the government to do the needful both in short-term and long-term solutions.
Tajuddeen Ahmad Tijjani, Kasuwar-Kaji Azare, Bauchi State.
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