ANPP Moves Against Removal Of Fuel Subsidy
ABUJA, October 25, (THEWILL) - One of the opposition parties, the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) today rejected the planned removal of subsidies on petroleum products by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led federal government saying, the intention is ‘wrong’ and capable of worsening the living conditions of Nigerians.
It equally decried the growing insecurity in the nation particularly the resurgence of kidnapping in the South East and Boko Haram in the North East.
National Chairman of the party, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu who made this known at a press briefing in Abuja said after a careful assessment of the policy, the party has concluded that it will not be in the interest of the common Nigerian.
He said, “It is our conviction that the welfare of the ordinary Nigerian should remain the center of development efforts such that the quality of their lives will be enhanced and their dignity strengthened in a constitutional democracy.
“We are worried about the intention of the federal government to remove fuel subsidy by January, next year. After a careful assessment of the proposed policy, it is our view that such an action is wrong and if implemented will further worsen the already deteriorating living conditions of the ordinary Nigerian.
According to the National Chairman, “Removal of fuel subsidy will affect all Nigerians. It will adversely affect the cost of living for all Nigerians as the cost of food items, cost of transportation, cost of building materials, cost of labour, among many others, will rise sharply”.
The party also condemned the increase in electricity tariff by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory commission (NERC) due to commence in January, next year.
“It is our view that both actions, which will sharply increase the cost of living for Nigerians, that are intended to take effect at the same time does not portray the federal government as being sensitive to the worsening living conditions of Nigerians.
“The burden will be crushing and the pain intensely severe. Already, Nigerians are suffering too much. Increases in both the price of fuel and electricity tariff at the same time will adversely affect the living conditions of our people and unleash further untold hardship on a citizenry already groaning in an economy that is characterized by high inflation, joblessness and insecurity,” he added.
Onu instead advised “The federal government to put in place measures that will ensure that refineries in our country are working such that we can have competition in our local refining capacity. Why do we produce crude oil in our country, but continue to import refined petroleum products from outside our dear country? Is it not worrisome that we cannot accurately account for the crude oil that leaves our shores? Why is it difficult for our citizens to get full benefit for every barrel of crude oil that we produce? We therefore call on the federal government not to remove fuel subsidy as planned.”
Onu also decried the arrest of the Nation newspaper editors by the police, condemning harassment of journalists and attempts to gag the press.