Mr Bola Babarinde, a former Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in South Africa, says government palliative measures to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal should not be limited to cash distribution.
Babarinde in a statement made available on Sunday, urged the Federal Government to make provision for all sectors of society in the palliatives.
‘”Subsidising essential commodities especially fuel may not be a bad idea after all if the attendance corruption can be eliminated but it has proven to be a cankerworm eating deeply into government finances.
“That alternatively is removing it as it is and introducing innovative sustainable palliatives which should not be limited to given cash handouts.
“There are areas of interventions we need critical support to reduce or eliminate negative effects of Subsidy Removal, which include but not limited to increasing workers’ wages, and availability of standard credit facilities at minimum interest rates.
“Supportive interventions in agriculture for food security, affordable and quality healthcare and education to improve living standards, increase spending on infrastructures (Built Environment and ICT with others).
“There are available innovative ideas that can make the lives of the majority of Nigerians worthwhile and liveable, but we have to be ready, less greedy, be accountable, be our brothers’ keepers, leadership with a great deal of empathy and unconditional love,” he said.
He charged the government to ensure that Nigerians have access to affordable and quality healthcare and education to improve their standard of living.
NAN
