Fuel Scarcity: Ohanaeze Ndigbo Chieftain Calls For Scrapping Of Subsidy
******Says Policy Unreasonable
*****Commended NNPCL GMD For Creativity In Infrastructural Development
KINGSLEY BENNETH, ABUJA
ABUJA: Amid the fuel scarcity ravaging the nation, Mazi Ezenwo Anichukwu, a Ohanaeze Ndigbo Chieftain, has faulted the federal government’s fuel subsidy policy, describing it as “unreasonable”.
The leader of the Apex Igbo socio-cultural group also maintained that the very essence of the policy has been defeated.
Speaking to Journalists on Wednesday in Abuja, the seasoned business mogul said it was time that the government’s attempt at cushioning the effect of petrol prices on citizens was reviewed for better results.
He said, it was unacceptable anywhere in the world for the government to continue to spend N6 trillion monthly on fuel subsidy, yet it was unhelpful even as citizens continue to groan as they purchase litres of fuel at high price.
According to him, there were double charges as citizens buy fuel at high prices far above the approved pump price on one side, and the government still pays for subsidies on the other side.
“As a management economist, I don’t see any reasonability in the government spending N6 trillion on fuel subsidies.
“The Group Managing Director should be courageous enough to tender the proposal for subsidy removal at the Federal Executive Council for approval,” he added.
On the recent approval of the Federal Executive Council for NNPCL to construct 44 road infrastructure across the six geopolitical zones, he.said, it was a good development.
He commended the NNPCL GMD, Mele Kyari for being creative, noting that the oil and gas industry will be part of history in infrastructural development and not just sending revenue into the Federation Account.
It is recalled that the Federal Executive Council approved the sum of N1.9 trillion to be invested in the reconstruction of 44 Federal roads across the country.
