‘The authorities must finally respond to longstanding demands by civil society and parliamentarians to investigate the fuel market chain and hold accountable all those involved in smuggling, hoarding and ‘subsidy scams’ — regardless of rank or status’
By Valentine Amanze
Amnesty International Nigeria has warned that the government’s removal of fuel subsidy must not increase poverty in the country.
It wondered why the government was yet to suggest any ways to mitigate the impact of the decision for people on low incomes.
The Amnesty International Nigeria, in a statement issued by Acting Director, Isa Sanusi, also lamented that
President Bola Tinubu’s decision to remove the fuel subsidy left millions of Nigerians terrified about the knock-on effects that would have on their daily lives.
It further stated tha many Nigerians were concerned that they would be unable to meet the costs of education, food and healthcare.
“While all countries are required to eventually remove all fossil fuel subsidies to meet their human rights obligations in the context of the climate crisis, they should not do so in a way that undermines the ability of people on low incomes to secure their right to an adequate standard of living. It is therefore vital that the removal of the subsidy is accompanied by social cushioning and protection measures,” it stated.
Amnesty International however told the Tinubu-led government that Nigerians must not pay the price of decades of political and economic mismanagement of the subsidy scheme.
“The authorities must finally respond to longstanding demands by civil society and parliamentarians to investigate the fuel market chain and hold accountable all those involved in smuggling, hoarding and ‘subsidy scams’ — regardless of rank or status.”
The civil rights group further appealed to the new government to
urgently put in place measures to protect the rights of people most affected by the removal of the fuel subsidies and prioritize addressing widespread hunger, higher unemployment and the rapidly falling standard of living.
Recall that on Monday May 29. 2023, in his inaugural speech, President Bola Tinubu said that Nigeria’s fuel subsidies would be scrapped, citing budgetary concerns.
The decision led to a steep rise in fuel prices (from N195 per litre to between N600 and N700) and widespread panic-buying of fuel.
valoa2000@yahoo.com
