Fuel Subsidy Removal Inevitable, Says APC Chairman
The National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun stated on Tuesday that the eventual removal of fuel subsidy is inevitable.
The National Secretary of the APC, Malam Mai Mala Buni, in a press release issued in Abuja, said the gradual removal of subsidy is necessary in view of emerging and current realities.
Odigie-Oyegun made the disclosure when he received a delegation of the APC National Coalition for Peace and Mobilization (NACOPEAM) on a courtesy visit to him at the Party's National Secretariat in Abuja.
He said the current administration inherited an "infected system of subsidy" run by corrupt cartels. "In one way or the other, subsidy must go", the APC National Chairman stated at the meeting.
He said a situation where government spends almost a trillion Naira yearly on the corruption-tainted subsidy regime is unacceptable and can no longer be sustained.
According to the APC Chairman, oil cartels and their cronies resisting change have continued to blackmail and sabotage government on the issue of subsidy, a development that has resulted in the lingering nationwide fuel scarcities despite serious government efforts.
He described the fuel scarcities the country grapples with as a "national disgrace"
Odigie-Oyegun said there is need to restructure the country's oil and gas sector which has been marred by corruption and inefficiencies.
He said President Muhammadu Buhari's directive to the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) to adjust its pricing template to reflect competitive and market driven components may not necessarily result in increase in the pump price of petrol.
The APC National Chairman said the presidential directive to the PPPRA will result in a more efficient and realistic pricing system for petroleum products and also result in constant availability of fuel.
Earlier, the NACOPEAM National President, Comrade Ahmed Saleh said the fuel scarcities impacted negatively on the Party.
"The unbearable fuel queues along filling stations is indeed avoidable. The situation is impacting negatively on the integrity of the party and this noble administration of positive change." he said.
Saleh also called on the "total overhauling" of heads of federal government Commissions, Parastatals and Agencies.
"During electioneering campaign, the APC went around the lenght and breath of Nigeria informing the citizens on the ills and mal-administration of the past regime. However, there is need for total overhauling and new trusted heads of commissions, paratatals and agencies to be appointed for effective, efficient and result oriented service to the Nigerian citizens. With this our noble observation, we believe the nation will move forward and the government will be free from administrative sabotage."