Leaders of Community Development Committees (CDCs), rights groups, politicians and other Nigerians have reacted to the subsidy palliative and economic intervention plans announced by President Bola Tinubu yesterday.
Recall that in his Independence Day nationwide broadcast on October 1, President Tinubu announced a monthly wage increase of N25, 000 for average low-grade workers for the next six months as subsidy palliative allowance.
The president also emphasised other plans of his administration to stabilize the countrys economy, direct fiscal and monetary policy to fight inflation, encourage production, ensure security of lives and property and lend more support to the poor and the vulnerable.
However, some Nigerians have kicked against the new wage adjustment of N25,000, saying it is not enough to lessen the hardship Nigerians are being faced with daily. According to them, Nigerians need interventions that would bring about reduction in pump price, fix roads and modern public transportation systems.
Chairman, Community Development Committee, Ikorodu LG, Lagos State, Lukman Sonibare, opined that with the wage increase, the economic hardship would persist. He advocated for an improved security and road network system; reduced fuel price and modern public transportation system. Fixing this, he argued, will reduce the burden and economic hardship on Nigerians.
Similarly, a group campaigning for positive political change and gender parity, the Transformation Ambassadors (TTA) has urged President Tinubu to avert the looming NLC/TUC nationwide start slated for October 3.
Convener of the group, Femi Omojuwa, wondered why the president was silent about the strike in his nationwide Independence Day broadcast. According to him, the strike action, if embarked upon, would further cripple the economy and inflict more hardship on Nigerians.
Meanwhile, Executive Chairman, Itire-Ikate LCDA, Hon. (Dr.) Ahmed Olarewaju Apatira has called on political and religious leaders, irrespective of political affiliation, to join hands in rebuilding the country for future generations.
While commending President Tinubu for his economic interventions, Dr. Apatira enjoined Nigerians to remain hopeful despite the economic challenges, adding, with unity of purpose, commitment, sacrifice, hard work and patriotism we shall overcome our current challenges .
Dr. Apatira, who noted that while it may seem like all is bleak and gloomy at the moment, Nigerians will soon begin to smile in appreciation when fruits of the structures being put in place by the present administration under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu begin to manifest.
The council boss said, History has shown that many nations have passed through even more tumultuous and difficult periods in their journey to greatness and nationhood but they overcame.
Ours cannot be different and Nigeria wont be an exception so long as we remain committed to building a prosperous and strong democratic nation where opportunities abound for all. As leaders, we are ever ready to make the much needed and necessary sacrifice to help take the country out of the present post-fuel Subsidy removal effect and build a strong economy.
Democracy offers nothing other than liberty and freedom for citizens to realize their God-given talents and potentials which can be harnessed into building a greater society.
