Otuekong Franklyn Isong, Chairman of the Center for Human Rights and Accountability Network, CHRAN, Akwa Ibom State, has advised the Akwa Ibom State government to channel the N5 billion released by the Federal Government into the procurement of Compressed Natural Gas, CNG, vehicles.
It also advised the government to subsidize transportation costs for civil servants, students, and other residents.
Isong, who is also a member of Akwa Ibom State’s Palliatives Committee, stated that the Civil Society Organizations in the state would prefer that the Governor use the funds to establish a fuel depot or refinery to help reduce the cost of petroleum products.
He noted that the country’s astronomical cost of goods and services was directly as a result of the removal of fuel subsidies, and that the only way to mitigate the effect was to have a working refinery immediately.
“I’m aware that the FG has approved N5 billion to all the states of the federation as palliatives to alleviate the hardship caused by the removal of fuel subsidies,” he said. We have yet to be briefed on how it will be used at the committee level.
“However, CHRAN and CSOs are making far-reaching recommendations that, if implemented, would have a positive impact on everyone’s lives.” We are looking beyond the distribution of grains and pennies.
“We are looking into having a long-term palliative that would help impact everyone’s lives; we are urging the government to build a fuel depot or refinery to reduce the cost of petroleum products.”
“We are considering the government bringing CNG vehicles to subsidize transportation costs, more vehicles to transport civil servants from the plaza or any other strategic location to the secretariat and schoolchildren, as well as building refineries and a depot.”
“It is not just about sharing rice and money; we want to positively impact rural dwellers by building good roads, improving agriculture, and constructing ranches.”
“We want the herders/farmers conflict to end; we already have an anti-grazing law; we want the government to put it into effect by, first and foremost, having ranches where the cows will be taken so that the cows do not destroy people’s farmlands.”
Sir Sunday Orie, the President of Non-Indigenes in Akwa Ibom State, described the N5 billion palliative as a robbery on the masses.
Orie questioned why the Federal Government would continue to raise the price of petroleum products, causing an unimaginable rise in commodity prices, and then give state governors a paltry N5 billion to cushion the effect without addressing the root cause of the problem.
The Igbo leader in Akwa Ibom urged President Bola Tinubu to create an enabling environment, implement people-friendly policies, and address the unstable exchange rate as soon as possible in order for businesses to thrive.
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“How much is N5 billion for a state?” It is still robbery if you rob Peter to pay Paul. Simply provide us with an enabling environment and an opportunity to make money; many people have parked their vehicles because they cannot afford the fuel.
“Every day, you raise the price of gasoline and claim to be providing a palliative tomorrow. People in the interior villages are unable to come to town to buy or sell their goods due to the high cost of transportation.
“If you give them N1500 as a palliative, will that cover their transportation, let alone feeding?” So, who is deceiving whom?
“The government should address the root cause of the hardships that Nigerians are currently experiencing,” he advised.
