ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Over one month after the removal of fuel subsidy in Nigeria, Nigerians are still finding it difficult to cope with the reality of the policy.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had, in his inauguration speech upon his swearing-in on 29 May, 2023, shocked Nigerians when he announced the removal of fuel subsidy.
He described the policy as a pathway to Nigeria’s economic recovery.
But in a recent survey carried out by our correspondent on the streets of Abuja, Nigeria’s federal capital, residents poured out their minds, explaining the hardship they’ve faced since the implementation of the oil subsidy removal by President Bola Tinubu’s Administration.
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While some of those who spoke with voiceofnaija.ng in Abuja disagreed with the President as they described the policy as anti-masses, several others aligned with the vision of the present administration.
Reacting to the policy, a civil servant identified as Abdullahi Muhammad, condemned the policy saying the federal government was hasty in announcing the removal of the subsidy.
“I think President Tinubu was hasty with his decision, there was no machinery or plans in place to ameliorate the suffering of the masses but again bring hardship to the people.
“My salary is not even enough to get things done at home the inflation is just too much,” he lamented bitterly.
A trader, Joke Adulawo, who commended President Tinubu over the subsidy removal said the policy is affecting businesses.
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She said: “The policy is affecting my business and everyone around here which has made patronage reduced drastically.
“We have no option as we already have our backs against the wall, we hope to reap the gains soon.”
David Edoja, a banker who also spoke with our correspondent on the streets of Abuja, said it is difficult to survive with the economic policy, saying the masses are at the receiving end of the policy as transport fares and prices of goods increase astronomically.
He added that government should cut the cost of governance and sacrifice like the masses for the good of the country.
According to him: “You can imagine the quantity of fuel being used for government vehicles and their convoy. We are talking about the high cost of living and that our people are suffering, it is disheartening to see politicians living large while the masses are suffering.
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“It is obvious that these politicians do not feel for the masses and it is sad.”
Another resident who preferred anonymity, said he has resorted to trekking to some places due to the hike in the price of transport fare.
“A cab here to the market will only cost me N300. Now you have to beg to get N600 to drop to Wuse market that is not far from here.
“Now I walk to the junction to take N150 along cab, sometimes N100,” he stated during the survey.