Prioritise Welfare Of Nigerians, Reject IMF’s Recommendations On Removal Of Fuel, Electricity Subsidies, PRP Tells Tinubu Government
The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) has urged the Nigerian government to disregard and reject the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) recommendation to completely phase out fuel and electricity subsidies.
According to the PRP, the recommendation is insensitive and inconsiderate, particularly at a time when Nigerians are grappling with the worst economic hardship since the Nigerian State came into being as a direct consequence of last year’s fuel subsidy removal and massive devaluation of the national currency.
A statement signed by Comrade Muhammed Ishaq, PRP Ag. National Publicity Secretary, on Tuesday, said as a sovereign nation, Nigeria should be able to decide on policies that are “guaranteed to promote the overall well-being of its citizens without any dictations from neo-liberal and neo-colonial organisations such as the IMF and World Bank”.
It said such organisations are mostly out to service the profit motives of multinational corporations and the Western powers at the “expense of our long-suffering people”.
It said, “The Federal Government must prioritize the welfare of Nigerians and consider the socio-economic implications of removing these subsidies.
“The sudden removal of fuel subsidies and massive devaluation of the national currency last year by the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration on the day he came to power, led to a spike in the cost of living, causing undue hardship for millions of citizens who are already struggling to make ends meet.
“Phasing out electricity subsidies will only exacerbate this situation further.
“Instead of removing these essential subsidies, we propose that the Federal Government focuses on addressing the root causes of inefficiency in the fuel and power sectors. This includes tackling massive corruption in the two sectors, promoting transparency, and investing in infrastructure to improve the delivery of these services to the citizens.”
PRP called on the government to stand firm in its responsibility to protect the interests of its citizens.
It said, “We urge them to explore alternative measures that can address the nation’s financial challenges without subjecting Nigerians to further economic suffering.
“In conclusion, we would like to warn the IMF and the legion of its surrogates and parrots on the corridors of power in Nigeria to be aware that the good people of this country are carefully monitoring their nefarious antics and may be forced to respond appropriately should these surrogates now temporarily in power, go ahead with any of these anti-people policies and programmes.
“We urge the Federal Government of Nigeria to listen to the outcry of the Nigerian citizens that are already crying rather than the voices of any or both of the Bretton Woods sisters of the IMF and World Bank whose advice has for decades now put the Nigerian masses in hardships.”
