Cleric Urges Enlightenment On Fuel Subsidy

The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Most Rev. John Onaiyekan has advised the Federal Government to educate Nigerians properly on the merits of the planned removal of fuel subsidy.

Onaiyekan said this in an interview newsmen in Abuja.

He said that government had not given enough information that would help to educate and make Nigerians to understand the basis for subsidy removal.

“One thing is certain, government must have had its own reasons for insisting on removal of fuel subsidy; let us also presume that they believe it is in the best interest of the country.

“But one thing is certain, they have not explained it sufficiently, because most Nigerians still cannot understand what they are saying and this is what governance is all about, you have to be able to explain to the people what you are doing.’’

According to him, until government does so, people will continue to protest.

He said that the government must emulate other countries in the world by engaging its citizens before adopting any policy.

Onaiyekan said that poor education of the citizenry on policies usually project government as one that does not listen to the people.

According to him, if government has noticed that a few people have been making money out of the subsidy, they should expose such people to convince Nigerians on what they are doing.

“Government has been telling us that this fuel subsidy, a few people have been smiling away to bank almost on daily basis with millions of Naira of our money.

“If that is true, I think, the government should accept responsibility for that. Are they telling us now that they are subsidising fuel to the tune of billions, trillions of naira and they know that much of this money is going into private pockets and there’s nothing they can do about it.

“So, if you ask me, I would say there ought to be a way of retaining the subsidy and at the same time stopping crooked people from eating our money.’’

He advised government to avoid issues that would affect Nigerians negatively.

On the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF), Onaiyekan said it was a good idea but that government should always plan its programme.

According to him, it is not a good idea to be talking about removing fuel subsidy as well as launching another policy that has a lot to do with ordinary Nigerian.

“I don’t know the people that advise government but for me , I don’t know why they should be launching SWF when people are already angry about the issue of fuel subsidy removal.

“My concern is that government should endavour to be transparent in what it is doing and ensure that Nigerians are properly educated.