Oil Subsidy: ‘Blame Controversy On Non-Consultation’

The President of Gloctheco Christian University, Dr Friday Ogbonna, has said that the controversies over the planned removal of fuel subsidy stemmed from the Federal Governments failure to conduct proper consultations before making it public.

Dr Ogbonna in an interview with The Tide pointed out that any policy that lacks consultation at its formulation is bound to meet with disagreement.

According to Ogbonna who is also the Director, International Victory Bible Institute, USA and Nigeria, government was supposed to bring the issue for public debate before announcement.

He said, government was supposed to consult the masses of Nigeria, transporters, traders, the church and other stakeholders to know their feelings”.

Observing that most laws and policies of the government do not favour the ordinary citizens, Dr Ogbonna posited that the petroleum subsidy removal will only favour those in power while the rest of Nigerians will suffer the brunt as like in prices of petroleum products will affect food and other consumables and services.

“As it is now, the prices of almost everything in the market have escalated and if you ask, they say workers have been paid N18,000 minimum wage then you can imagine when the oil subsidy will be removed”, he stressed.

The Christian University boss, therefore, urged the Federal Government to think twice over the issue in the interest of peace and stability, stressing the need for the president’s advisers to always have the interest of the ruled at heart.

Before any advice is given to the president, the less-privileged should be considered and how they will be affected. The president’s advisers must be God fearing and prayerful to be able to advise him correctly.

On the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) issue between the Federal Government and Governor, Dr Ogbonna said “there are things you don’t just wake up one day and impose on people. That system is new, so the governors should be given enough time to think about it”.

Shedie Okpara