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From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
The Oluwo of Iwoland in Osun State, Oba Abdurosheed Akanbi, has advised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to consider the reintroduction of subsidy.
Rather, he said Tinubu should consider subsidization of public transportation to benefit civil servants, private workers, artisans, and the poor masses who are primary and major users of public transport.
The monarch in a letter addressed to the president, a copy of which was made available to Daily Sun in Osogbo, on Wednesday, said the subsidy that enriches few people is not worthy to be sustained.
“The truth is here. It may be hard on all of us. The President should not look back. President Ahmed Tinubu is strongly enjoined to consider subsidization of public transportation to benefit civil servants, private workers, artisans, and the poor masses who are primary and major users of public transport.
“Many poor citizens do not have cars. They use public transportation. They should be made to pay less by subsidizing public transportation to ease the movement of civil servants, private workers, artisans, and farmers.
“A special unit can be established temporarily in collaboration with the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), the park management, and the Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) to oversee such a special arrangement.
“The exigence becomes necessary to ensure the poor breath despite sustaining the fuel subsidy removal. How civil servants, farmers, and private companies workers go to work should be prioritized as against the usual fuel subsidy enjoyed by the few rich men
“Subsidy payment is an organized crime. Our fuel was being exported to neighboring countries, Nigeria paying heavily for other nations. The few rich are benefitting heavily through many illegal means. Blocking the leakages will be a blessing to Nigeria and Nigerians soon.
“Equally, many rich people are having a fleet of cars. The government is paying heavily for these people. Fuel subsidy removal will partially breach the gap. We have been seeing few rich men on public transport as we have in advanced countries. Fuel subsidy removal is a leveler.
“I’m convinced that the proposed inauguration of his cabinet members (Ministers) will hasten dividends of democracy that will interest the populace,” the monarch said.
