Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has faulted the decision of the Federal Government to remove subsidy on petroleum products without adequate provision of palliatives to cushion the sufferings that would, expectedly, accompany the decision.
Its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, in an issued statement on Friday, expressed deepest concerns of CAN over the prevailing hardships faced by Nigerians arising from the fuel subsidy removal, and called for immediate steps to mitigate the situation.
While CAN agreed that there was huge corruption that shrouded the fuel subsidy regime, it insisted that some measures should have been taken by the government to cushion its effect.
Okoh expressed his unhappiness that, while Nigerians were trying to adjust to the initial increase in the fuel price to N540 and its consequential effect on the cost of transportation, food, goods and services, and the general cost of living, another hike alluded to market forces took the price to N617.
“This has placed enormous burden on the already struggling masses, further widening the gap between the rich and the poor, and drastically eroding the purchasing power of ordinary citizens, thus making it extremely difficult for them to afford the basic necessities of life.
“The situation is just unbearable for millions of Nigerians who were already suffering poverty. While CAN acknowledges the complex and difficult decisions that government must take to manage the nation’s economy, there is the urgent need to prioritise measures that would alleviate rather than exacerbate the existing poverty level and hardships of Nigerians.
“It is therefore imperative that economic policies are formulated and implemented with utmost care and consideration for the prevailing hardships experienced by Nigerians”.
He highlighted some steps which, according to him, the government must take to assist Nigeria absorb the shock and effects of the fuel subsidy removal and increasing cost of living.
Okoh asked the Government to quickly engage with critical stakeholders in a dialogue to explore sustainable solutions to the current situation.
He also asked the Government to take measures to reduce the price of fuel, noting that such measures should include removal of unnecessary levies and taxes on imported petroleum products, stabilisation of the foreign exchange market and putting back local refineries to functional and effective use.
