Orji, groups caution against removal of fuel subsidy

The removal of subsidy as a panacea to the lingering N18,000 minimum wage will create more problems in Nigeria’s fragile economy, Abia State Governor Theodore Orji has said.

He said: “Considering the disparity between the micro and macro states of our economy, in which majority of the masses rely on subsidy, it will be suicidal to encourage removal of subsidy.”

A statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Ben Onyechere, quoted the governor as saying:

“This economy ought to be subsidy-based because production output is falling due to erratic power supply. It has resulted in a high level of unemployment and, as such, I advise the President against such a move because it is the same as robbing Peter to pay Paul.

“The issue of minimum wage can be addressed through other means to be determined by the President because the people deserve more than N18,000 if our resources are well harnessed and tailored towards the welfare of the citizenry.”
A group, the Yoruba Ronu Leadership (YRLF), yesterday criticised the governors for seeking the withdrawal of petroleum subsidy as a precondition for paying the N18,000 minimum wage.

In a statement by its Secretary General Akin Malaolu, the YRLF said: “Recent statements emanating from the outcome of meetings by the Governors’ Forum urging total removal of petroleum subsidies is an attempt at blackmailing the workers and the people over the clamour to implement lawful minimum wage of N18,000.

“This inglorious attempt to breach the law is an open attack on the people by the very leaders elected by them to serve them.

“The governors, by their transgression, have made a clear departure from their electoral promises, the all-important expectations of the people, which are energy, morals and happiness. It is an attempt to sustain their whetted materialistic appetite.”

Urging President Goodluck Jonathan not to accept the governors’ call, the group said: “We hereby put all leaders on notice that an additional hardship on the people shall bring with it glooming forebodings as it is apparent that the people may take to disorderly behaviour as a result of the intensity of their feelings to various hardships, dirty tricks and blackmail by the political class.”

The  Sokoto State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday urged President Jonathan not to remove fuel subsidy before the implementation of the N18,000 minimum wage.

It said the states should, instead, find other means to implement the new pay package. 

Addressing reporters in Sokoto, the Sokoto State capital, the NLC Auditor, Alhaji Abubakar Malami Tambawal, opposed the governors’ suggestion.

“We will continue to do this by affirming our stand,” Tambuwal said, adding that most Nigerian workers were living like paupers.

“This is extremely obnoxious and unacceptable,” he said.

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