In the light of the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known as petrol, the State Director of the National Orientation Agency in Kano State, Alhaji Mohammed Bashir Ali, has called on Nigerians to show understanding and cooperate with the government by not taking undue advantage of this well intentioned development to hike the cost of goods and services.
Ali admonished Nigerians to embrace the new regime of no subsidy on petrol.
He said it is a necessary and inevitable policy of government in the interest of our economy, though temporarily painful.
He said the Federal Government has promised the rechanneling of funds to be saved by the removal of petroleum subsidy into the provision of necessary infrastructure for all Nigerians.
Ali added: “Also, the Federal Government has promised to revive all existing petroleum refineries in the country in the coming months and licence the establishment of modular refineries, which will soon commence production.
“These will ensure sufficient local availability of refined petroleum products and eventual exportation of same for greater economic gains for our country.”
The NOA therefore appealed for understanding on the part of organized labour as the decision to remove petroleum subsidy at this time was thoroughly considered by the government and consultations widely made in the interest of all Nigerians.
Ali added: “Moreover, the removal of petroleum subsidy is part of government’s efforts to curb systemic corruption, which had become endemic in and through the subsidy regime.
“Indeed, government deserves commendation from labour for finally demonstrating the political will to put an end to the continuous hemorrhage of our collective resources through subsidy.
“In view of the current security realities in our nation, labour must also be wary of the possible dangers of mass actions in expressing contrary views to the subsidy removal in order to avoid likely hijack of the process by miscreants.
“Labour is admonished to maintain the use of dialogue as the most potent means of resolving differences at all times.”
Ali stated that Nigerians voted the present government with faith in its Change Mantra to reposition the nation for a better future, adding: “We must therefore give this government the needed support and benefit of doubt knowing that it has the best and overall interest of all Nigerians at heart.”