Kano Speaker wants govt to soft-pedal on subsidy removal

THE acting National Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of the State Houses of Assemblies, Alhaji Abdullahi Falgore, has called on the Federal Government to treat the issue of subsidy removal with trepidation and concern for the common man who will be at the receiving end on the long run.Falgore, who is also the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly gave the indication yesterday in Dutse, Jigawa State at the 21st Northern Speakers Forum.The chairman, who said the statement was his personal opinion and not that of the conference, pointed out that it is the peasants that voted the office holders that would be at the receiving end if the fuel subsidy is removed absolutely.In his words, 'Personally, I would have wished the Federal Government to tackle this subsidy with care and sympathy particularly to the teaming peasants that elected us in to various offices.The Peasants have confidence in us and believe that we will protect their interests.'Several governments have tried to lift the subsidies especially on the petroleum. I would have loved the Federal Government to continue with reasonable increase on these products instead of this absolute removal of the subsidy.'He said most of the previous increase in the prices of petroleum products had resulted in face offs with labour leading to weeks of strike for which the common man had always suffered the most.The speaker said the absolute removal of the subsidy in one full swoop will jeopardise peace and progress, as it will have a chain effect on other essential services.He said the reelection of the Governor of Kano State Rabiu Musa Kwakwanso was by the masses, who did so because of his antecedents of diligence to transforming the state.Falgore indicated that his first tenure paved the way for his second coming due to his track record of development projects.
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