Onitsha Traders, Residents Okay Subsidy Removal

It was business as usual in Onitsha as traders and residents overtly supported the Federal Government’s fuel subsidy removal by defying labour’s call for a protest and carrying out their normal economic activities.

Our correspondent who went round the commercial city, observed that markets, shops, business plazas opened for business while customers were seen making purchases.

He also observed that banks and financial institutions were closed though the bank workers were seen hanging around the premises waiting for directives from their headquarters.

Local transport operators – buses, tricycles and commercial motorcycle operators – carried out their businesses of conveying people to and fro the commercial city unhindered, while some private schools resumed today.

Motor parks were opened although they witnessed low patronage, especially on far distance routes while fewer vehicles plied the Onitsha-Enugu and Onitsha-Owerri Roads.

Speaking to our correspondent, most traders expressed solidarity with the Federal Government’s action and argued that they wanted a “permanent removal of subsidy once and for all’’.

Mr Vincent Ifeme, Chairman, Marine Modern Market, Onitsha, said the fuel subsidy removal was a right step in the right direction and urged Nigerians to acknowledge reasons for its permanent removal.

“Subsidy removal is a thing worth to be done, because we have been living in a cosmetic way of life.

“And by removing that particular subsidy, one would be able to know where we are.

“I know that the government have been paying that money and that money has been going to some pockets.

“The subsidy suppose to be touching the less privileged in the society, but in this case it wasn’t going that particular way actually.

“So, it has to be removed for us to be able to live the normal lives, which we are living.

“I urge the government to divert that particular money in doing certain projects like the 2nd Niger Bridge and power.

“You cannot continue to fool people all the time, people know actually the strike is of no benefit to us.’’

In his remarks, Mr Augustine Okoye, a trader at Osa Market, Onitsha, said that the removal of fuel subsidy was okay, but the problem he had with it was the timing adding that Nigerians had spent a lot during the yuletide for Christmas celebration.

“Well, the oil subsidy is very, very good to remove. We support that.