Akpan Umoh, Uyo
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has appealed to Akwa Ibom residents and all Nigerians to support and cooperate with the Federal Government over fuel subsidy removal.
The Akwa Ibom Director of NOA, Mrs Esther Peter, said this while briefing newsmen on the recent removal of fuel subsidy in Uyo on Thursday.
Peter called on residents of Akwa Ibom to support the government’s decision to withdraw fuel subsidy so that government could channel the resources to develop other sectors of the economy for the benefit of all Nigerians.
She noted that the fuel subsidy has subsisted for a long time now in the country for the detriment of the Nigerian masses.
She said that the sensitisation campaign by the Agency soliciting support for government policies and programmes, especially on fuel subsidy removal will be taken to Ibom Plaza in Uyo Metropolis with advocacy visits to traditional and religious leaders in the state.
According to her, the benefits of fuel subsidy removal include; checkmating corrupt practices in the oil sector, massive infrastructure development, eradication of petrol smuggling to neighbouring countries and improvement in our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) among others.
“We call on Akwa Ibom people to give peace a chance by allowing the government to implement policies that will be in the best interest of all Nigerians, as palliatives are considered to cushion the effects of the subsidy removal.
“We appeal to all stakeholders to be patient and support Government in a bid to liberalise the oil sector for the benefit of all Nigerians, ” Peter said.
The state director noted that the subsidy has failed to help Nigerians buy refined products at much lower than the prevailing market price.
She added that it is better for government to spend a significant portion of its budget on education, healthcare, and infrastructure development, amongst other key sectors than continue with fuel subsidies.
She called on all Akwa Ibom youths to register in the ongoing National Youth Volunteer Development programme, which aimed at enlisting youths for skill acquisition training and professional business development.