NBA condemns proposed removal of fuel subsidy

THE Nigerian BarAssociation (NBA)has condemned the proposed removal of oil subsidy by the government.The NBA came up with this resolution at the end of its national executive mee-ting held in Akwa Ibom State.The communique released after the meeting reads: 'The NBA will not support, at this point in time, the removal of petroleum subsidy, which is said to amount to N1.3 trillion. Without beating about the bush, the foregoing shows that the situation is dire, on the one hand, the idea of the fuel subsidy has its utilitarian values, as it was intended to give the average Nigerian access to cheap petroleum products.'On the other hand, however, there are flaws in the policy in that it has become a drain on the country's resources and an avenue to enrich a few people in and out of government. In our view, raising the issue of fuel subsidy removal by government at this stage is, with respect, suspect. Government knows that the proposed policy is anti-Nigerians.'That it is not an argument they will win or a policy that can be implemented without imposing considerable long-term hardships on Nigerians. Removing what is considered as subsidy will cripple the economy and lives of Nigerians.'The benefits of the removal, which is the investment of N1.5 trillion into public sector, works and poverty alleviation progra-mmes are, if anything, mere palliatives that will have only a long term effect. In between, Nigerians will suffer and unmanageable socio-political upheavals will erupt, the magnitude not seen anywhere in the world in recent times.'It, therefore, appears as if government has raised the issue of subsidy removal, knowing that it will be resisted by the people and the status quo will continue, thereby further entrenching the monopoly to stupen-dous riches enjoyed by a few Nigerian oil moguls.
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