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Onoh Urges Nigerians To Support Fuel Subsidy Removal, Gives Reasons
Dr. Josef Onoh, a former spokesperson for President Bola Tinubu in the south east, has emphasized the importance of removing Nigeria’s high expenditure on petroleum subsidy. According to him, redirecting these funds towards other sectors of the economy would directly improve the lives of middle and low-income citizens.
Although President Tinubu has not officially announced the withdrawal of the controversial oil subsidy, Dr. Onoh urges Nigerians to consider the actions of other countries, particularly in Africa, that have taken the bold step of eliminating the substantial costs associated with subsidizing the consumption of foreign petroleum products.
He highlights that such subsidies often disproportionately benefit the wealthy, who own multiple vehicles, rather than the poor citizens who rely on public transportation systems.
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Onoh urged Nigerians and whichever groups that are warming up for agitation against the new government of Bola Tinubu to be critical and understand that President Tinubu did not remove the oil subsidy by himself, but should know that no provision was made in the 2023 appropriation to fund the luxury of subsidizing the importation of petroleum products which as at today stands at $867 million or N400 billion every month, for products that are essentially consumed by the upper class or go out the country through smuggling, because the products are cheaper in Nigeria than its neighboring countries.
Onoh cited other African countries that had done away with oil subsidy such as Ghana that was spending $25.6 million every two weeks on fuel subsidy before the country cut off the strangulating yoke and had become free and stable after the old Gold Coast liberated itself from the subsidy bondage.
He also made a comparison with Republic of Cameroon which removed subsidy on oil and deregulated its markets, adding that even Nigeria experts such as the President of African Development Bank (ADB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina had also prescribed the removal of oil subsidy with its high cost on the Nigerian economy of $10 billion in 2022.
Citing more instances of other African countries that have made testimonies of their break through with the removal of subsidy in oil, Onoh gave the example of Egypt which in 2019 broke off completely with the subsidy oppression and implemented an International Monetary Fund (IMF) economic overhaul template, even when gasoline, diesel and kerosene were sold at 85 to 90 percent international cost within Egypt before it completely broke the yoke and liberated the country from the economic strangulation.
Onoh said that it was not only Tinubu who agreed that subsidy on oil should be removed, recalling that during electioneering campaign period and debates, all the presidential candidates of different political parties supported removal of oil subsidy.
“Ghana removed the subsidy after 30 years, and if you look at the progress and the economic stability in the present day Ghana, Nigerians will know that we cannot continue with oil subsidy at the detriment of our economic stability. Both the rich and the poor will face hardship but we should look at the collected benefit rather than the immediate hardship.
“There is no other way because we are caught in-between the devil and the deep blue sea. There is no way we can continue benefiting the rich while the poor get poorer. The only way we can have a balanced economy is when even the poor can have access to these basic needs. In the short term, the removal will cause panic but the cabals behind the refusal to remove the fuel subsidy are the greatest beneficiaries of that subsidy.
“So, they will play in the minds of the innocent poor, trying to make it look as if the government is against the poor, but the Tinubu administration is eager to balance our economy just like other countries have done. We should sustain that confidence,” Onoh said.
He noted that Canadian government, United Kingdom, the United States of America and other foreign countries will all show more confidence in the Nigeria economy.
“But we also need to show that we want our economy to grow and we cannot continue to rely on half term measures, riding on a Tiger’s back, not thinking it could as well turn around to kill us. So we should back this administration.
“The test of our Progress is not whether we avoid temporarily removing the fuel subsidy out of fear of hardship for Nigerians which in turn will add to the abundance of those who have much and beneficiaries of the subsidy, rather it is whether the current administration provides enough after it’s removal for those who have too little,”Onoh encouraged.
The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has raised concerns over alleged monopolistic practices by Dangote Refinery, following a public dispute about fuel pricing in the downstream petroleum sector.
Recall that the refinery, Africa’s largest, recently disclosed its petrol pricing at N990 per litre in trucks and N960 per litre into ships, a move it justifies as being in line with international rates.
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PETROAN, however, sees this as an attempt to suppress competitors and dominate the Nigerian market.
The rift began when Dangote Refinery claimed that complaints from marketers regarding its pricing were fueled by intentions to import cheaper, potentially substandard products.
In response, PETROAN strongly rejected these allegations, suggesting that Dangote’s claims are tactics designed to maintain a monopoly in the sector.
Joseph Obele, PETROAN’s spokesperson, stated that the association remains committed to importing high-quality products at more competitive rates to ensure affordability for Nigerian consumers.
According to PETROAN, competition in the market is essential for achieving fair pricing, and any attempt to stifle it would be detrimental to consumers.
They argue that Dangote Refinery’s pricing should reflect production costs and fair margins rather than international benchmarks, especially given concessions granted by the government for the refinery’s establishment.
PETROAN also announced its plans to partner with foreign refineries and financial backers to import premium-quality petroleum products at prices below current rates.
The association aims to enter the market by December 2024, pending necessary regulatory approvals.
“The allegations that PETROAN will import substandard products are unfounded and aimed at creating an unfair playing field,” the statement read.
PETROAN warned that similar claims in the past had led to significant price hikes when competitors were pushed out, emphasizing that the entry of new players into the market would lead to more competitive pricing and ultimately benefit Nigerian consumers.
PETROAN expressed appreciation for President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to revitalizing Nigeria’s state-owned refineries and urged the government to consider privatizing the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries once rehabilitation is complete.
The association believes a transparent privatization process will help strengthen Nigeria’s downstream sector and counter monopolistic tendencies.
To address the ongoing pricing challenges in the sector, PETROAN called on the government to convene a comprehensive meeting of industry stakeholders, including major associations like IPMAN, DAPPMAN, MEMAN, NUPENG, and PENGASSAN.
PETROAN believes that collaboration among these groups will be instrumental in establishing a sustainable and competitive pricing framework for petroleum products in Nigeria.
Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Mohammad Abubakar II, has called on Nigerians to avoid publicly criticizing their leaders, instead urging citizens to place their trust in God to address leadership concerns as He deems fit.
Speaking at the Regional Conference on Climate Change-Induced Conflicts in Northern Nigeria, organized by the Kaduna State Bureau of Interfaith in collaboration with International Alert, the Sultan emphasized faith and patience in navigating the country’s challenges.
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Acknowledging Nigeria’s current economic and social hardships, the Sultan encouraged continuous prayer, not only for the nation but for its leaders as well.
“Even though many feel times are particularly hard, we believe relief will come. Let’s increase our prayers for our leaders, trusting God to address them in His way,” he said, expressing hope that divine intervention could bring stability and prosperity.
The Sultan reminded political leaders of their ultimate accountability to God, cautioning that they will stand alone on the Day of Resurrection, with only their deeds to support them.
“On that day, every leader will stand alone. Governors, advisers—none will have support except their own deeds. Let us act with a deep sense of responsibility and fear of God,” he stated.
Addressing religious leaders, he warned against misleading their followers for personal gain, underscoring the trust many place in their religious guidance.
“Only God can save any human being,” he said, encouraging Nigerians to remain faithful and discerning in their spiritual beliefs. “Focus on worshiping Allah and leave the rest to Him. Don’t follow those who might lead you astray.”
With leaders from various religious communities, including the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), in attendance, the Sultan called for unity, resilience, and communal effort to tackle pressing issues such as climate change, poverty, and insecurity in the northern region.
He praised the North’s history of unity and resilience, warning against divisive narratives that threaten communal harmony. “When we are united, we can face any challenge and build a prosperous community,” he asserted.
The Sultan’s remarks come amid ongoing social and environmental issues in the region, including a recent surge in climate-related challenges that have exacerbated poverty and security threats.
In light of these issues, he called on both Muslims and Christians to intensify their prayers, saying, “Our country faces many challenges, and we must turn to God in prayer. Let us intensify prayers in our mosques and churches.”
In a decisive move, President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate release of all minors detained by police during the recent #EndBadGovernance protests.
The directive, announced by Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris on Monday, underscores the government’s commitment to protecting children’s rights and ensuring justice.
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Idris confirmed that President Tinubu’s directive prioritizes the welfare of detained minors, instructing the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to facilitate their safe reunification with their families.
A committee led by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs will be established to oversee the welfare of the released minors and ensure compliance with the president’s orders.
Additionally, President Tinubu has directed a formal investigation into the actions of law enforcement agencies involved in the arrests.
The president emphasized that any misconduct uncovered during the investigation will result in disciplinary action, affirming his administration’s dedication to accountability within law enforcement.
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