Roll Out Palliatives To Reduce Impact Of Subsidy Removal – Reps Tell Tinubu

• The House of Representatives urges Tinubu to implement urgent palliative measures for Nigerians affected by fuel subsidy removal.

• Skyrocketing petrol prices and increased costs of goods and services have caused widespread hardship.

• Committees are assigned to ensure compliance and address gully erosion on a critical road.

EKO HOT BLOG reports that the House of Representatives has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently implement palliative measures to mitigate the effects of fuel subsidy removal on Nigerians.

The call comes after Sani Madaki presented a motion titled “Urgent Need to Implement Palliative Measures to Mitigate the Effects of Fuel Subsidy Removal on Nigerians” during the plenary session. Madaki recalled President Tinubu’s announcement of fuel subsidy removal in his inaugural speech on May 29, 2023, which led to a skyrocketing official pump price of petrol from N195 to a range of N480-N577 per litre across states.

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This significant price adjustment has resulted in a steep increase in the prices of goods and services, causing hardship for millions of Nigerians. Some state governments have implemented temporary measures such as reducing the workweek for state-employed workers from five to three days to alleviate financial strain. However, sustainable palliatives are needed to address the situation.

While the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress temporarily suspended a planned strike, citizens have protested, accusing the government of insensitivity. The House of Representatives adopted the motion, tasking its Committee on Labour, Employment, and Productivity (yet to be constituted) to ensure compliance and report back within two weeks.

Furthermore, the House called upon the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to complete the reconstruction of Ugwuonyeama 9th Mile Road to prevent its collapse. It also urged the Federal Ministry of Environment and relevant agencies to take a comprehensive approach to combat gully erosion, specifically in Ugwuonyeama 9th Mile in Enugu North and South federal constituency of Enugu State.

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Chimaobi Sam Atu presented this motion, emphasizing the road’s strategic importance for the economy of the South-East states. The House assigned its Committees on Environment, FERMA, and Works (once constituted) to investigate the threat of gully erosion and propose long-term solutions.

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