Subsidy: Group Supports Indigent Nigerians, Okada, Keke Riders with Fuel Palliatives

Alex Enumah in Abuja

A non-governmental organisation, the La Buena Vida Cares, has taken to the streets to offer free petrol to indigent Nigerians, as well as motorcyclist (Okada) and tricyclist (Keke) riders across the country.

The gesture, according to the President of the La Buena Vida Cares and Convener of the project, Mr. Micheal Okoli, was aimed at cushioning the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy on the masses.

Speaking at the flagging off of the project in Abuja, yesterday, Okoli pointed out that the group’s action was predicated on their policy and practice of always giving back to society.

According to him, life should not always be what one would get, but about what one would give, adding that people should not continue to wait on government and the economy but to go ahead to support the suffering masses in their own little.

“We believe that if everybody begins to contribute in their own little way can make this country great,” he said, adding, “that is why we decided to go and do this small fuel palliative.”

Okoli, who added that the kind gesture is currently being done simultaneously across Nigeria, challenge others to emulate them and make Nigeria a better place to live in.

“We decided to give back to society so that we can inspire somebody looking at us to say, if these guys can give out, let me also give out.

“If you are buying a fuel of N20, 000, you can see that Keke person that is struggling with N2,000; you can buy N18,000 and give the person N2,000.

 “We can’t wait for government to do everything, but we can be a government to other people; we can’t wait for the economy and as we are complaining we can actually help out, so it’s something we want to use to inspire every Nigerians to help people,” he added.

Okoli, pointed out that people should not wait until they have become so rich or achieve certain heights before they can assist others in need.

Also speaking, one of the mastermind of the project, Mr. Nefo Esimai, noted that what the group was trying to do was to set up a movement that would oversee the economy and bring it up to speed by encouraging people to do the little they can.

He claimed that the group understands what people were going through at the moment and are reaching out to people.

“We are not super rich but we understand the place of giving. People are suffering and at this point we want to expand our reach to help because the government cannot do everything,” he said.

Esimai, argued that if well-meaning Nigerians could come together, put hands together and begin to help one another, Nigerians could ride through the storm which according to him will not last.

“While we are waiting to ride through the way, we can help one another, those who are struggling, that is why we are concentrating on low level income earners, entrepreneurs, business men and women.

“We are starting with the Okada riders and the tri-cyclists, these are the people this fuel increase has directly impacted. You find out that when they buy fuel and they through their normal activities for the day, before they get home, they do even have enough to feed their families.

 “So we are saying can we just help out, even if it is just three litres or four litres it can help and the extra money can be for the family.