Against the backdrop of the recent decision by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to scrap toll exemptions for all Very Important Persons (VIPs) and top government officials at the airports, Nigerians have called for the abolishment of more privileges enjoyed by the affected individuals.
Lawrence Njoku , Seye Olumide , Ann Godwin and Saxone Akhaine Against the backdrop of the recent decision by the Federal Executive Council to scrap toll exemptions for all Very Important Persons and top government officials at the airports, Nigerians have called for the abolishment of more privileges enjoyed by the affected individuals.
“And I told myself and my team, not under my watch. It will not happen. If this tradition has existed for years, I will not allow it to happen; because it is inconceivable that in our country it is the VIPs that don’t pay for services but it is the poor men that pay for services. The VIPs were supposed to have money to pay for services but they compel poor men to pay for services. And I said no.
Ezike said: “I don’t really see any importance that is attached to this announcement or cancellation. So, for us in the CLO, it is a non-issue” Ezike, however, called for the scrapping of other VIP treatments including the deployment of police personnel to protect one public officer or wealthy person while communities are left to their fate.
“It is tax payers’ money that they would use to fund the toll gate fees not their personal money. So, there should be no excitement about it. “We have been saying that these officials are not doing better than those in other professions but all the appeals have fallen to deaf ears. Look at the current disagreement between labour and the Federal Government over minimum wage. Is it supposed to be an issue if the government is people friendly?
Friday, who is a public administrator, argued that with the depth of corruption in the country, those in power will still swindle the proceeds generated from the toll gates and leave common Nigerians to continue to suffer. According a policy and public affairs analyst, Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, payment of toll fees by VIPs would help to raise more money for the running of government and addressing citizens’ needs.
Former Arewa Consultative Forum General Secretary, Elder Anthony Sani, also commended the decision, saying the government needs to shore up revenue from available sources. Sani also stated that “policemen and soldiers attached to VIP should be reduced and freed to secure the nation.”He said: “Leaders should always try to set a very good example for the country.
“This is encouraging corruption. This policy destroys the nation’s economy and entrenches institutionalised corruption. The toll we are talking about is just about N500 to N1000,” he added. “What Nigerians are facing now is not about compelling some few people to pay between N500 to N1000 at the airports. The officials we are talking about are multi millionaires. I am yet to see the economic value and how it will benefit the people,” he noted.Before flagging, please keep in mind that Disqus does not moderate communities. Your username will be shown to the moderator, so you should only flag this comment for one of the reasons listed above.
Federal Executive Council Toll Exemptions Scrapping Vips
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