Onyebuchi Chukwu, an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Ebonyi State, has expressed concerns that the Federal Government is not taking the right measures to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians following the removal of petrol subsidy.
Chukwu, a former Minister of Health, made this statement on Channels Television’s socio-political program, Inside Sources with Laolu Akande.
Chukwu argued that 15 months after the abrupt removal of petrol subsidy, the Federal Government has not provided sufficient short and medium-term measures to relieve the economic pains of the people. He emphasized that the price of petrol has skyrocketed from around N200 to over N1,000 in most parts of the country.
Chukwu stressed that immediate action is necessary to address the economic crisis, saying, “As a doctor, I know that there are immediate things that need to be done, medium-term things and long-term. Right now, people are suffering.”
He argued that the petrol subsidy cannot be completely removed, urging the President Bola Tinubu administration to take prompt remedial actions to mitigate the economic crisis.
Chukwu criticized the opacity of the oil and gas sector, saying, “The truth is the major thing that brings us revenue is the oil and gas sector. It’s okay to say the President is the minister (of petroleum resources) but you must have things looked into thoroughly.”
The former health minister also discussed the current structure of policing in Nigeria, saying it has been overwhelmed and is not effective in curbing violent crimes like kidnapping and banditry.
He emphasized the need for state police to confront extant security challenges.
