Bauchi residents hail FG’s stand on fuel subsidy
Some residents of Bauchi have applauded the Federal Government over the postponement of the proposed removal of fuel subsidy in the country.
A cross section of the residents who spoke in separate interviews with the Newsmen, on Wednesday in Bauchi, described the gesture as “well come development.”
Dr Abdulmajid Jamal, a lecturer, Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic (ATAP), Bauchi, said the decision by the federal government to retain subsidy on petrol was “desirous and timely.”
Jamal said the development would fast track implementation of sound programmes towards addressing social and economic challenges as well as mitigate the impact of fuel subsidy removal on the citizenry.
“In social economics perspectives, the removal of fuel subsidy will subject the citizens to difficulties like hyperinflation and general fall in the standards of living.
“The concept of positive economics opined that the removal of fuel subsidy will generate more money for development if properly utilised,’’ he said.
He said the postponement had also dealt with issue of industrial disharmony that might arise as result of the fuel subsidy removal.
Also, Malam Huzaifa Mohammed, a civil servant, said that the decision of the federal government was based on genuine desire towards improving the well being of Nigerians.
Mohammed said that fuel subsidy removal was not feasible considering the realities on ground.
He stressed the need for government and stakeholders in the oil industry to fix refineries, petroleum pipelines and other structures to enable the nation refine petroleum products and enhance its availability.
“The postponement will give government time to restrategise to ensure effective implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA),” he said.
For his part, Abdullahi Iliyasu, Operations Controller, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) in Bauchi State, said that fuel subsidy removal was imperative to cut cost of importation of the products in the country.
Illiyasu said that the federal government was spending huge sum of money on importation of the petroleum products, adding that the trend was inimical to sustainable economic development.
