Subsidy removal: Tinubu’s policy step in right direction — Anambra Commissioner

Exif_JPEG_420

The Anambra State Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Barrister Anthony Ikechukwu Ifeanya, on Wednesday, reacted to the recent increase in fuel pump price across Nigeria, noting that the removal of the fuel subsidy regime by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is a step in the right direction.

He said that the policy will be of benefit to all Nigerians at the end of the current pains everyone is passing through.

Tribune Online gathered that there is current social-economy confusion across the state, following the sudden change in price of the commodity from the initial N520 to N617 per litre.

The situation started on Tuesday afternoon as fuel stations in Awka, Onitsha and Nnewi reviewed their pump price following the news of an upward review of petrol price to N617 per litre by the NNPC on Tuesday morning.

Reacting to the development, Barr. Ifeanya, in an interview with our correspondent, in Awka, said that Tinubu has taken the best and wisest decision for the collective good of Nigeria and its people.

He said Nigerians are suffering at the moment but things will get better in the later days to come.

According to the Commissioner, it is a bold step taken by President Tinubu. “What the President has just done has been lying down on the table of previous governments for years. None of the past Presidents have the political will and courage to take the bull by the horns. To me, there is no need for Nigerians to lament much. I know Nigeians are currently passing through hardship as a result of the policy but there will be light at the end. Nobody is happy. The whole country’s economy value chains are affected. Something good will come out of the policy, despite the fact that the policy will have a long term effect. The policy is good because it will lead us to promise land, if we must get it right in Nigeria. It is a policy that would make every Nigerian cut down their lifestyle.

“The three tiers of Government; Federal, State and LGAs will get something higher with the policy, especially, this month of July.

He noted that the current price hike of N617 is caused by the Russian/Ukraine war.

“I appeal to Nigerians to bear with the government for now as the present hardship will ease out with time.

“Removing the fuel subsidy is the best thing to do and it has to be done once and for all.

“Unfortunately, the subsidy regime has only been benefiting a few people in the oil industry and Nigeria must break this chain once and for all.”

While describing Tinubu as an action-oriented politician, the Commissioner urged the President to utilise the subsidy money in building cottage industries across the six geopolitical zones to help curtail unemployment among youths.

An Onitsha-based businessman, Comrade Emmanuel Okeke, in his reaction said the situation coupled with security challenges will affect the economy of the Southeast region the more.

According to him, “many shops have shut down already over poor patronage emanating from the situation. Many people have parked their vehicles. Commercial sex workers are not left out of the challenge. The situation has also caused restriction of movement of people leading to commercial drivers lamenting too.

“Nobody is exceptional. Every Nigerian is now a mathematician. They now calculate their movement before going out because of transportation fare. Everybody is a witness to the situation,” Okeke said.

READ ALSO FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE