By Chimezie Anaso
More Nigerians have continued to react as Bola Ahmed Tinubu marks his first year as president of Nigeria.
A cross section of Nigerians who spoke to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Correspondents in Anambra agreed that though the intentions of the various policies of the administration could be good, the outcomes have not translated to better life for citizens.
Mr Chinedu Anyaso, Chairman of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Enugu Depot Community in charge of Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu States said marketers were among the worst hit by the policy of petrol subsidy removal.
Anyaso said the cost of doing business for marketers had increased by 73.33 percent, while turnover had reduced by about 60 percent.
Anyaso who opposed the reintroduction of the subsidy because of the corruption around it and the economic hemorrhage it caused the national economy, expressed hope that there would be a turnaround in the economy soon.
“We were all hopeful that it would be a good turnaround for marketers of petroleum products but the reverse is the case.
“We thought it would bring competition in the importation of products with more players but up till now, we only have NNPCL as the sole importer and supplier of products.
“The impact of the subsidy removal on our trading capital is huge.
“Before now, we load 45,000 liter capacity truck of PMS worth about N8 million but now we load the same quantity with over N30 million, for Automotive Gas Oil or diesel, you need over N70 million to purchase that volume.
“Generally, economic activity has reduced and factories have packed up, these have reduced the demand for petroleum products,” he said.
Dr Bruno Ibekilo, an Economic lecturer at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam, backed the reforms in the downstream petroleum sector but called for science based implementation.
Ibekilo called for more active citizenship which could hold state governments responsible in the distribution of additional revenue they were receiving as subsidy gains.
“This increase in price, in line with market forces, caused a reduction in demand and revenue. So we have a slow down on economic activities.
“Fundamentally, subsidy removal is not totally bad but we should have planned for the shocks we are experiencing.
“As for allocation to states, what we need is for subnational governments to make judicious use of these funds because they are closer to the people,” he said.
On her part, Prof. Chinyere Okunna, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Paul University, Awka said one year of President Tinubu, had left much to be desired on the nation’s economy pointing out that youth unemployment was alarmingly high.
Okunna identified sudden removal of subsidy, insecurity, corruption and lack of power as the major challenges facing Nigeria’s statehood.
“These and other debilitating problems must be addressed to salvage the country.
“For instance, in a developing country like Nigeria where Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises are the engine of the economy, Nigeria must get it right in the Power Sector.
“Similarly, the government must eschew nepotism and cronyism to find the political will to deal decisively with corruption and insecurity.
“Government must secure the oil sector by rooting out vandalism and the astonishing oil theft that have been the bane of this sector, a new Nigeria is indeed possible,” she said.
Dr Ego Uzoezie, the Chairperson, League of Women Voters of Nigeria, Anambra Chapter, said the Tinubu administration had not met the high expectations of Nigerians who looked forward to a new lease of life at the end Muhammad Buhari administration.
Uzoezie said President Tinubu was doing his best but his best was not enough as his policies were causing hardship for citizens rather than impacting them positively.
She also blamed all other unfriendly outcomes of the government’s policy on the removal of fuel subsidy as well as increase in taxes and tariffs without commensurate benefits to the people.
WeI need more security, agriculture, education, health and welfare of the people,” she said.
A royal father, HRH, Igwe Christopher Okpala, the traditional ruler of Akwaeze Community in Anaocha Local Government Area of the state, said the traditional institution had been relegated to the backseat in the governance of the country.
Okpala said that reverence needed to be accorded to the traditional stool and their welfare given adequate attention considering their roles in their communities which the government was yet to consider.
Okpala said the communities were pivotal to nation building and not giving governance at that level of the society the priority attention it required was a mistake that should have been avoided.
“Traditional rulers are grassroots leaders who have at their fingertips quality information regarding both economic and security of communities, so government needs to tap into these formations for richer governance,” he said. (NAN)
