Ex-NIPR President Decries Removal of Fuel Subsidy, Rising Inflation

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The immediate past President Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Mukhtar Sirajo, has expressed worry about the effect the removal of fuel subsidy is having on corporate organisations and citizens.

He made the outcry yesterday at the NIPR Annual General Meeting and Conference in Abuja. Sirajo said the policy has led to inflation with a crushing effect on Nigerians.

He noted that although the decision of government to remove the subsidy may be well intended to ensure financial prudence and efficiency, the experiences of Nigerians, across indicated that the burden occasioned by the policy is taking a heavy toll on them.

NIPR  chieftain called for necessary measures to ameliorate the negative repercussions of the policy so that people can heave a sigh of relief.

“Furthermore, the rising inflation which has increased the cost of production for the manufacturing sector, and the reduction in the purchasing power of most households need to be checkmated with appropriate policies to restore stability in the system,” Sirajo said.

He noted that the foreign exchange market that has witnessed the depreciation of the Naira to a record low against major currencies should also be streamlined in order to stabilize the currency and restore investors’ confidence.

 The NIPR former president also described the overthrow of democratically elected government in Niger Republic as concerning, condemnable and worrisome. He demanded a return of democracy to the West African country.

He also expressed opposition to the planned use of force by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) saying in line public relations’ philosophy of non-violence, consent engineering, dialogue, and democratic ethos the institute will prefer a peaceful diplomatic engagement as a way out.

He warned that any military option will have dire consequences, which is capable of escalating conflict in the region with the resultant refugee crisis, loss of human lives, assets and the huge budgetary implications, given the fiscal challenges currently being faced by most countries in the Sub-Saharan Africa.

“Nigeria’s position is tangential to the Republic of Nigeria, putting her in a position to face many adverse repercussions that may arise from military action. Moreover, with Nigeria border in Niger Republic across seven Nigerian states of Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Jigawa, Yobe and Borno states, covering a distance of over 1,600 kilometers, and the consequential beautiful relationships built over time, which include inter marriages and other mutually beneficial interactions,”          Sirajo said.

He said it is not in the interest of either country to be at war with each other, whatever the circumstance.

Meanwhile, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has reiterated the resolve of the government to restore the confidence of the citizenry by directly impacting their lives through tangible and credible policies and programmes.

He expressed the hope yesterday as a Special Guest of Honour at the NIPR conference/AGM.

He added that credible information dissemination, devoid of propaganda, will also reduce apathy and engender trust among the citizens, thereby reopening constructive conversation between government and the people.

“It is this vision that will guide the implementation of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” Idris said.

He highlighted the role of NIPR in shaping public appreciation of the fundamental move by the government to reform society and charged the Institute to recommit to the greater good.