Anambra Monarch Laments Unplanned Approach Towards Oil Subsidy Removal .
By Obiorah Anthony Awka
The Deputy Chairman, Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, and the Traditional Ruler of Okpuno town in Awka South LGA, Igwe Sunday Okafor, has bemoaned the unplanned approach adopted by Federal Government in the controversial fuel subsidy removal, describing it as “less than deserved”.
Igwe Okafor,
was speaking in his Palace in Okpuno, when he received in audience, Anambra State Director, National Orientation Agency, (NOA), Sir Joseph Uchendu and his management team, when they paid him Advocacy visit in connection with the removal of the fuel subsidy by the Federal Government with a view to finding a lasting solution on how to cushion the negative effects of the subsidy removal on Nigerians.
The Monarch, observed that the removal of fuel subsidy was instrumental to the hike in transport fares in Anambra and others States in the country.
He was of the opinion that the Federal Government would have constituted a joint committee comprising members of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Nigerian Trade Union, Federal Government representatives, as well as other critical stakeholders in the petroleum industry, to come up with effective palliative measures before the subsidy removal.
The traditional ruler appealed to Nigerians to remain calm, reminding them that since they survived the dreaded covid -19 pandemic, they will also survive the pensive effects of the subsidy removal.
He described the condition Nigerians are in now as very unfortunate and painful, which needs urgent intervention by Governments at all level to reduce the burden on the citizens.
He further noted that cost of living in Nigeria today is very unbearable, hence the vicious hardship in the Country, calling on the Federal Government to work towards revamping the nation’s abandoned oil refineries as well as come up, within the shortest possible time, measures that would put to permanent stop, the unabated hardship in the Country.
Igwe Okafor also wondered why the Federal Government should consider increasing the salaries of elected political officers and the appointees, when most Nigerians, especially civil servants and the rural populace, cannot boast of three square meals a day, describing it as inhuman and ungodly.
Earlier, the NOA State Director, Sir Joseph Uchendu, thanked the Traditional Ruler and his cabinet Chiefs for the honor accorded him and his team, and pleaded with him and other traditional rulers, to prevail on their subjects to always lend their support to Government development programs, especially the current fuel subsidy removal.
While pleading with Nigerians to exercise patience with Government, the NOA State Director, reiterated that the essence of the fuel subsidy removal in this perilous time was to fortify the nation’s failing economy and as well, save the country from further borrowing.
When the NOA State Director, Sir Uchendu, paid similar visit to the Traditional Ruler of Nnokwa Community in Idemili South LGA, Igwe Emmanuel Ajamma, he pleaded with the Traditional Rulers in Anambra State to assist NOA in persuading and sensitizing Nigerians to support the fuel subsidy removal with a view to saving the nation from economic collapse.
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