Nigerians cannot afford to bear brunt of fuel subsidy removal in isolation – TUC to Tinubu

Obiora Clinton

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) on Monday, applauded the decision of the Federal Government to remove fuel subsidy but lamented that the persistent call for sacrifices on the part of citizens was no longer tenable.

Festus Osifo, President of TUC, while briefing the media on the state of the nation, noted that the Federal Government never reciprocates the sacrifices made by Nigerians.

He urged the Tinubu led administration to show good example by cutting the cost of governance, stressing that the proposed purchase of new vehicles by the 10th National Assembly was unpalatable given the current situation in the country.

Osifo said placing the burden of fuel subsidy removal completely on the shoulders of the masses while those in power continue to bask in wealth was unjust.

He charged President Bola Tinubu to start by reducing the number of his aides and making sure that each new minister only has a maximum of two assistants.

We are canvassing for a basket that will contain alternatives to PMS, palliatives and reduction of the cost of governance, because, government cannot continuously ask the workers and the battered Nigerian masses to continuously tighten their belt. We have adjusted our belts and we have even exceeded the lap hole, while in government, they are continuously increasing their largesse.

For us, it shouldn’t be the case of an animal farm where all animals are not equal. We are all Nigerians. If you tell us that there is a crisis, everybody must contribute to solving it. It should not be to the detriment of the downtrodden Nigerian workers.

“The burdens should not all be put on the citizens, they must be willing to tell us the sacrifices they are willing to make,” he said.

Osifo likewise requested the government to expedite work of the several committees overseeing the consultation on the withdrawal of fuel subsidies.