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Removal Of Fuel Subsidy Worries Experts
Some financial experts have expressed worry over the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government.
They told newsmen in separate interviews in Lagos that the removal of the subsidy would lower the standard of living of the masses.
According to them, the removal of fuel subsidy will cause a lot of hardship on the people and the rate of unemployment in the country will further increase.
A lecturer at the Department of Economics, University of Lagos, Dr Tunde Adeoye, said that the removal of fuel subsidy would adversely affect the cost of transportation and price of commodities.
“I so much believe that the removal of the fuel subsidy will impose great pains on the citizens of this country.’’
Former director, CBN, Mr Titus Okunronmu, said that government’s decision on fuel subsidy would mostly affect the people on fixed incomes.
Okunronmu said that the poverty index would rise because more people would be made poorer because of the increase in the standard of living.
He also said that workers would agitate for more salaries that would lead to inflation in the country.
“In my own view, I do not believe that the market forces can develop the economy.’’
He said that the government belief that market forces could enhance fair and equitable distribution of resources within the economy without tackling corruption would be difficult to achieve.
The immediate Past President of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria, Dr Samuel Nzekwe, also said that the removal of fuel subsidy would lead to increase in the price of commodities and rent.
Nzekwe said that it would affect the masses more than the rich and reduce the purchasing power of the average Nigerian.
Nzekwe added that it would affect the cost of transportation and increase the cost of fueling generators, especially those used by industry operators.
“It is not really good enough to remove fuel subsidy because companies might start downsizing due to high cost of petrol.’’
General Manager, Cash Craft Assets Management Ltd., Mr Ayodeji Fagbenle, also said that the removal would encourage inflation in the economy.
“The removal of fuel subsidy will have a negative effect on the economy because it will definitely increase the level of poverty within the country.”
Fagbenle added that this would also reduce the purchasing power and make life more difficult for the people.
General Manager, True Bond Microfinance Bank, Mr Wole Olowu, said that the decision to remove fuel subsidy was untimely because of the state of the economy.
Olowu urged the government to urgently ensure that the refineries were working, explaining that most companies would not be able to cope with the increase in the price of petrol.
According to him, most of them will not have no alternative than to retrench some of their staff.
Olowu said that the increasing unemployment rate would increase the crime rate in the country.
He suggested that the government should put in place measures that would improve the well-being of the people.
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