OPINION BY SIMON KOLAWOLE: Why (most) Nigerians oppose subsidy removal | TheCable FuelSubsidy
was on the other side of the road and he would need to make a long turn, he decided to buy petrol on his way back. That was what his driver suggested anyway. After watching President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s inauguration and listening to his speech, he headed back home. But the world had changed within the twinkle of an eye. He ran into a sudden traffic caused by fuel queues.
I must also admit that there is no best time to remove petrol subsidy. No matter when you remove it — morning, noon or night; January, May or October; Sunday, Wednesday or Friday — there will always be some resistance. You do not withdraw a 50-year-old benefit that Nigerians have taken as a birth right and expect them to give you a standing ovation. It is our entitlement, as far as we can see.
On my first point, for instance, there is no doubt that the burden of subsidy removal is disproportionately borne by the poorest whose incomes can barely sustain their living costs. Transport fares go up instantly and they have no wriggle room to deal with it. For an economy that runs largely on “I pass my neighbour” generators, cost of doing business for barbers, beauty salons, eateries and vulcanisers will go up.
Nigeria Latest News, Nigeria Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Nigerians voted for fuel subsidy removal | TheCableBY MUSA ILALLAH By the time President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reiterated, in his inauguration speech on Monday, May 29, 2023, that the end has come to Nigeria’s longstanding subsidy regime,
Read more »
Ports to shutdown as maritime workers begin strike on Monday over poor welfare | TheCableFreight forwarders under the aegis of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) have threatened to embark on industrial action on Monday, June 5, 2023, over the poor welfare of
Read more »
Newspaper Headline: Reps launch investigation into N413billion subsidy fund borrowed from CBN | TheCableRemoval of fuel subsidy – the economic impact on the people and news of its amelioration – takes the front seat in the national dailies and the meeting of the president with service chiefs takes a similar obvious role.
Read more »
Peter Obi, LP to challenge election results in only 18 states | TheCablePeter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) says his party will challenge results of the February 25 election in only...
Read more »
BudgIT: N112bn projects allocated to agencies in 2023 budget outside their mandate | TheCableBudgIT: Agencies allocated N112bn projects outside their mandate in 2023 budget “An example is the News Agency of Nigeria which was allocated N200 million to construct solar streetlights in Rivers state. What business does NAN have with streetlights?”
Read more »
We were forced to sign election results in Kogi, Atiku's witness tells tribunal | TheCableAtiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party has called witnesses to testify before the presidential election...
Read more »