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NIGERIA: Bishops tell Govt. to Consult on Fuel Subsidy

The Administrative Board of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria has advised the Nigerian government to embark on a wider consultation before implementing its plan to end a fuel subsidy in January, reports CISA.

In a statement issued at the end of its December 5-7 meeting in Abuja, the board also said Nigerians must recognize the need for reconciliation, justice and peace as they face serious security challenges.

The bishops said most Nigerians travel by car to carry out their daily activities. "One cannot deny how complex the controversy on fuel subsidy has turned out to be," they said. "This is because Nigerians have made so much sacrifice in the past with little or no reward to show for their pains."

They said such an important issue can only be decided "by a reasonable consensus after thorough consultation."

The Nigerian government has said it could save up to 1.2 trillion Nigerian naira ($7.5 billion) by ending its subsidy on oil imports. It has proposed spending the money on infrastructure improvements for roads, utilities, health, education and agriculture, as well as to cushion the effect of the lost subsidy on the nation's poor.

The federal government, the National Assembly and the Nigeria Governors Forum disagree on whether President Goodluck Jonathan should remove the subsidy on fuel products. In their statement, the bishops also warned that unless Nigerians learn to live together in justice and peace, they are likely to "perish through violence and mutual destruction."

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TAGS: Administrative Board Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria government fuel subsidy

[12/12/2011]

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