Group Commends Rivers Gov for Subsidy Removal Measures

A group called the Rivers Coalition for Good Leadership and Excellence has applauded the Rivers State Governor, Sun Fubara, for what it terms as timely and appropriate response to the subsidy removal.

Speaking to journalists recently, the group Convener, Mr. Ken Agala, noted that “although the fuel subsidy removal is long over due and absolutely good economic policy, it takes leadership in the various states to create palliative programmes to reduce the burden on the people of the state.

“Information available to us shows that the state governor is fully prepared to launch the Rivers State Mass transit scheme that will offer subsidised transportation fares for citizens across the state.”

According to the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the annual inflation rate in Nigeria rose for the fourth month to a near 18-year high of 22.41 percent in May 2023, up from 22.22 percent in the prior month and matching market estimates.

Prices of food, which is the most relevant in the CPI basket, continued to accelerate to 24.82 percent in May, after jumping by 24.61 percent in April, mainly on account of vegetables, oils, bread, fruits, meat and tubers.

Prices also rose sharply for transportation (23.9 percent vs 23.1 percent), amid fuel price increase caused by the removal of a government fuel subsidy by President Bola Tinubu.

The new scheme, which is to cater for civil servants, elder people and students, was described by Agala as one of the most appropriate response to the fuel price increase which reduced transportable cost across the country.

The convener of the group said: “Even though the state, has been blessed with critical road infrastructure, fly overs and traffic lights, which had reduced traffic and fuel consumption by about 20 percent, the increase in fuel wiped away this gain, and I think the state government is making attempts to reduce this burden from the most vulnerable citizens in the state.”

Following the announcement of the fuel subsidy removal, the state Governor, Fubara, has promised to roll out lots of palliatives for the citizens of the state, and the Rivers State Government Palliative Bus Transport is one of such.