Subsidy Palliatives – Freedom Square Radio Programme Analysts tell Gov Mbah what needs to be done , to cushion the effects of subsidy removal in Enugu State.

The Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Mbah, has been urged to revitalise the state owned Mass transit buses bought during ex-governor Sullivan Chime’s administration, for conveyance of workers and other residents, as part of measures to cushion the effects of economic hardship brought about by the removal of the fuel subsidy policy of the federal government.Speaking on Saturday, during an interactive radio programme on solid100. 9Fm Enugu that is anchored by Dr Uchenna Cyril Anioke , Guests and other public affairs analysts who participated in the popular radio programme made this rallying call. They stated that, doing so would positively cushion the effects of the subsidy removal amognst citizens and denizens in the state. On salary and gratuities, Governor was also urged to clear all salary arrears owed to the civil servants in the state, as that would ensure that the high cost of living won’t be too harsh on them. In his remarks, Dr Obasi Obasi called reintroduction of state owned buses that will play a double role of helping the government of Enugu State to reduce high cost of transportation as well as aid them in wining it’s current battle against Monday sit at home, stating that workers and private sector business owners will be bold to join the government buses,from various points to their respective offices.According to him: ‘The fact remains that most people especially the workers are not happy staying at home on Mondays, but abscond from work due to increasing cost of transportation. Therefore the re introduction of the government owned mass transit buses in Enugu state is what the government needs to do, so as to overcome the plaque of sit at home'”Imagine a situation where transport on Mondays, the government provide buses that will be free for workers and at a reduced cost on other working days for both workers, traders and every other member of the society, such would ensure that Monday sit at home dies naturally “Also speaking, another analyst, Comrade Chinedu Nwobodo, postulated that the state Government can still offset transport bills of the residents on private buses by going into partnership with owners and foot the accummulated bills of commuters thereafter, as will be submitted by the various transporters engaged by the Government.Other guests and callers during the radio show , tasked Governor Mbah to use his wealth of experience garnered in the Oil and Gas industry to bear in growing the economy of Enugu, especially at this point in time the removal of fuel subsidy is imposing economic hardship on residents of the state.According to them, “another measure in this direction is to ensure prompt payment of salaries and wages of the workers, clearing all arrears of pension and gratuties etc to enhance the purchasing power of the citizens.” “The state Government should further intervene in subsidising the health care of the people just as former Governor Sullivan Chime did, when he at a point, introduced free maternal health care for pregnant mothers in the state.” “Governor Mbah should consider offsetting the cost of text books for pupils and students in the state, as part of his intervention in the education sector, Bankroll the cost of enrolling for external exams(WAEC) for students who will be involved in the current academic session, as part of measures to cushion the ugly effects of the fuel subsidy removal.””Governor Mbah need to grant tax holidays to lower cadre of workers in the state and move for a single digit loan system from banks for intending local investors in the state” .”There is urgent need to have the initiative of a change over to usage of ‘Conventional natural gas(CNG)’ as a measure of curtailig usage of fuel on generators in the State .” Newsflash.ng Reporters has it that, Freedom Square Radio programme discussants and callers described the fuel subsidy removal as an act by the federal Government , which has inflicted injury on the masses. They also stated that for this hardship to reduce, that both the local Government Chairmen, Traditional rulers and church leaders must get involved and be committed in ensuring that the poorest of the poor are captured in the registeration for the N8.000 palliative allowance provided by the federal Government.”This is the time for National Directorate of Employment (NDE) to move from state to state, local Government to local Government to capture the poor and needy. Religious leaders in the various Churches, Mosques and even leaders of traditional worship centres should be involved in identifying the poorest of the poor. Government at al levels must be prudent in choosing the very poor for the proposed N8,000 palliatives. It will not be business as usual and must not be given a political colouration.However, newsflash.ng observed that, Many of the callers expressed doubt that the sharing of the palliatives will still reach most of the targeted Nigerians, stating that Government should have deployed such funds in revitalising the refineries, fighting insecurity scourge and development of functional industries.