Abuja, July 21 (Mediaage NG) – The Nigerian government led by President Bola Tinubu said in efforts to soften the effects of hike in fuel prices, it will begin the distribution of grains and fertiliser next week. Tinubu on the day of his inauguration almost two months ago, announced the removal of petrol subsidy.
Cost of food, transportation and other services have skyrocketed as result.
Also, other efforts the government said it’s planning on, include considering proposals to increase salaries of civil servant. There has been increasing levels of frustration on the effects fuel subsidy removal has had on the rise in cost of living.
President Tinubu wants to be seen as addressing the crisis.
Along with other measures, his administration plans to give out cash to poor families, but first wants to create a new register of those who are eligible to benefit from the programme. There are also proposals to deploy electric buses and cars as well as vehicles powered by compressed natural gas to reduce the cost of transportation.
Labour unions have criticised the removal of the fuel subsidy without measures to mitigate rising prices before coming into agreement with the government on an eight-week timeline to raise the minimum wage for civil service workers.
Yesterday, Labour unions threaten withdrawal from negotiations with government over last Wednesday’s increase in the price of fuel, while today, teachers union also threatened reduction In work days amid high cost of living.