It was a rowdy session yesterday as senators clashed on the
removal of petrol subsidy as fuel scarcity bites across the nation causing many
Nigerians untold suffering. In a bid to tackle the situation, Senator Barau I. Jibrin
(APC, Kano North) sponsored a motion for the removal of fuel subsidy as he
believes it has caused a lot of suffering to the common man. Contributing to
the motion,
Senator Adamu Aliero (APC, Kebbi central) supported the motion for
the immediate removal of fuel subsidy as he sees it as another corrupt way some
selected few are enriching themselves.
He decried the current pump price even when oil has lost
grounds all over Nigeria, yet the government has done nothing to alleviate the
suffering of Nigerians who have been charged excessively for purchase of
petrol. He asked for a reduction in the pump price of petrol.
“It is high time we support the executive in removing the petrol subsidy. It is shrouded in corruption as few people are milking the country,“ he said.
However, the motion was opposed by Senator Shehu Sani (APC,
Kaduna Central) who said it would negatively affect the masses. Sani stated
that removing the subsidy would affect the people adversely as they are the
ones that will be forced to pay higher for petrol. He called on his fellow
senators to oppose anything that has to do with the removal of fuel subsidy as
it will spell doom.
The removal of fuel subsidy has always been a topic
generating controversy as people are divided on which side to support. As the
stalemate lingers, Nigerians are the ones who suffer for whatever comes out of
the debate. Many Nigerians believe that oil marketers in Nigeria are holding
the country hostage as millions are paid into their accounts for oil subsidy
every year.
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