Two civil society organisations, Citizens Club and the Initiative for Diaspora Knowledge Transfer (IDKT) have advocated the need for the federal government to suspend the current fuel subsidy saying maintaining subsidy was detrimental to the economy and growth of the nation.
Addressing a joint news conference in Abuja, the National President of Citizens Club and former governorship aspirant in Anambra state, Stanley Okeke said the implementation of a fuel subsidy regime has impoverished the nation and encouraged massive corruption.
The Global coordinator of the IDKT, Chidi Ibe added that the removal of fuel subsidy will lead to private sector investment in the nation’s petroleum sector and increased employment opportunities.
The call is coming after the first year anniversary of the #OCCUPYNIGERIA protest which was staged across the country against the federal government removal of the fuel subsidy in January 2012.
The fuel subsidy was restored after the week-long protest crippled the nation’s economy with a nationwide strike.
