By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja
A former Operations Controller of defunct Department of Petroleum Resources, (DPR) Engr. Abdullahi Isah Jankara, has called on the federal government to take advantage of the subsidy removal to negotiate a better deal for Nigerians.
Engr. Jankara a governorship aspirant under the platform of Peoples Democratic Party in the last election called on Nigerians especially, labour unions to shun agitation but rather put government on its toes to ensure proceeds from the removal are put to good use.
The former Operations Controller, who also worked in the Planning under the strategic business unit of NUPRC before retirement in March 2022 called on Nigerians to shun political affiliations and think of how the country can make progress.
He said, “the fundamental concern all and sundry must express irrespective of party divide, whether you are in PDP, APC, PRP or OBEDIENT as they are fondly called, is how this country can move forward; we must all come together to chart a course for the progress of our great country”.
Regarding the subject of subsidy that is generating so much debate, he said, “I am of the opinion that subsidy should be removed. However, the only snag is for the government to go full trotter without remedial measures to reduce the effect or impact of the policy. The government should cushion the effect in other to mitigate the impact of subsidy on the citizenry.
“We are all aware that there is no Presidential aspirant who did not declare subsidy removal during their campaigns because of the exorbitant amount spent on subsidy to the tune of about 50% of government’s revenue.
“I am of the view, that the labour union should jaw-jaw rather than war-war; they should come to the round table and sincerely discuss the way forward with the government by finding out what is in for them; such as palliatives, minimum wage and find out the status of our Refineries and the way forward”.
He further reiterated, “Corruption has unfortunately eaten deep into the system and has made things not to work as it is meant to work. Do you know that 60% of what Nigeria is subsidizing benefits some of our sister countries in the West African Region? This therefore gives me a cause to worry when NNPC declared that we are consuming 60 million barrels per day; I am afraid that is not true because majority of the product goes to some neighbouring African Countries. I can tell you categorically that the prices of fuel has surged high in some neighbouring countries like Benin Republic because subsidy has been removed in Nigeria”.
“The government must also ensure they make our refineries work; because if they work, the cost of fuel will drastically be cheap”“The government beyond looking at resuscitating our Refineries should also look at resuscitating our Depots that are unfortunately moribund with all the attendant problems which has resulted in the hike in cost of PMS. He encouraged the government to fix our moribund Depot in other to reduce the risk and cost of moving products from Lagos, Warri and Portharcout” Engr. Abdullahi Isah Jankara made reference to late General Sani Abacha’s era while requesting the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to follow suit where pump price increased was used judiciously to build Schools, Hospitals, roads to mention a few across Nigeria using the scheme called Petroleum Trust Fund, (PTF). The retired Operations Controller advised the government to be more transparent and accountable with the way it plans to spend money saved from subsidy in other to better the lot of the Nigerian workers, the school children and the masses alike.
“The government should equally reconsider the introduction of Mass Transit Buses to assuage the current hardship Nigerians are facing from moving from one place to the other.”
