By Ben Ngwakwe, Gombe
A Senior Lecturer at the Federal University Kashere, Gombe, Dr Tukur Madu Yemi, has urged the Federal Government to immediately implement the new minimum wage and start payments to civil servants and to pay all outstanding allowances of aggrieved Unions, particularly in universities, to avoid strikes and prevent further compounding of issues.
The immediate past Head of Department, Science Education Department of the University, made the proposal in Gombe on Tuesday as part of measures to prevent the planned protest on 29th July,2024.
He commended the Federal Government for their efforts to tackle the economic challenges facing the nation, as exemplified by the National Assembly’s swift passage of the minimum wage bill, a significant step towards easing the economic burden on Nigerian citizens.
Dr.Yemi proposed to the Federal Government to establish citizens’ relief fund to provide direct support to those most affected by the fuel subsidy removal as it will serve as a balancing regarding economic realities and the needs of Nigerians caused by the removal of fuel subsidy.
The scholar said the urgent need to address the pressing challenges arising from the fuel subsidy removal, which has led to a surge in the cost of living, making it difficult for ordinary citizens to afford basic necessities like food, with far-reaching consequences for the economy and national security, as evidenced by the planned mass protest on July 29, 2024 is very imperative.
The senior lecturer who had put over 20 years service in academia proposed that the Federal Government should reduce the fuel price to N300 or N350 to make the product affordable for citizens as partial removal of the fuel subsidy.
He equally suggested that the Federal Government should put price control on essential items thereby implementing measures to regulate prices and prevent exploitation by marketers while importation of food should be encouraged to increase supply and reduce prices hence ensuring food security for citizens and to reduce planned protests by the people.
According to him, the Federal Government should provide subsidies to public transportation which can reduce commuting costs and alleviate the burden on citizens, as well as support small businesses by providing financial support and resources to help small businesses stay afloat during this challenging period.
“Increased funding for social welfare programs: Allocate more funds to support vulnerable citizens, including the poor, elderly, and disabled and to provide incentives for local farmers and producers to increase food production and reduce reliance on imports,” he said.
He said the need to convene a national economic summit to bring together stakeholders and experts to discuss long-term solutions to the country’s economic challenges is to ensure transparent communication whereby all the stakeholders should engage in open and transparent communication with citizens to explain the reasons for the fuel subsidy removal and the measures being taken to mitigate its effects.
