By Peter Adelowo
A former member of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme, SURE-P, Board, Dr. Chike Okogwu, has backed former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s proposal to restore fuel subsidy if elected president in 2027.
A statement signed by him in Abuja, says Nigeria’s problem was not subsidy but how it was managed and abused.
According to the statement, Okogwu, who represented Persons With Disabilities on the SURE-P Board from 2012 to 2015, calls for a transparent and technology-driven subsidy system that would ensure accountability.
According to him, SURE-P shows that funds from subsidy reforms could support important infrastructure and social programmes.
It lists the Second Niger Bridge, Loko-Oweto Bridge, road projects and railway rehabilitation among projects supported through the programme.
According to Okogwu SURE-P should not be remembered only for corruption allegations, adding that those found guilty of abusing public funds should be held responsible.
It advises that the BVN and other digital identification systems could help government create a better subsidy system.
The statement proposes the use of technology to track fuel products and payments from refineries to filling stations.
It expresses concern over the rising cost of living since the removal of fuel subsidy, saying higher petrol prices have increased the cost of transportation, food, healthcare and education.
According to Okogwu, the situation has worsened the hardship faced by many Nigerians, especially persons with disabilities, the elderly and low-income earners.
It also calls for greater transparency in the use of funds saved from subsidy removal stressing that Nigerians deserve to know how the money generated from subsidy removal has been spent and the benefits delivered to citizens.
According to the statement, the former SURE-P board member also calls for more support for local refining to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported fuel.
“Any new subsidy system must protect vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities, widows, students, farmers and low-income earners” he states
The statement maintains that subsidy could help reduce the cost of living and protect Nigerians from rising fuel prices.
It therefore urges the government to learn from the successes and failures of SURE-P and build a subsidy system that is transparent, accountable and beneficial to Nigerians.
