A political pressure group, United Support Group, USG, has described the removal of fuel subsidy by the federal government as a scam, saying it has led to economic hardship across Nigeria.
Our Principal Correspondent, reports that the group made the declaration in Warri, Delta state, Monday November 6, during a peaceful protest they staged.
Fresh Angle International, can report that the protest, tagged “Economic Hardship”, stressed the need for government at all levels, to alleviate the sufferings of the masses in the country.
Members of USG, who marched through Governor’s Office Annex, Warri and Delta Broadcasting Service DBS Edjeba, Along NPA Expressway, Warri, were led by their Chairman, Comrade Favour Emerure.
Comrade Emerure, stated that the pains caused by the subsidy removal, has brought tougher economic stress and poverty among Nigerians.
Comrade Emerure, opined that the hash economic downturn, was caused by the federal government and called for immediate reversal of the fuel subsidy removal.
Whilst noting that the protest was holding simultaneously in Warri and Asaba to last for two days, he lamented the tremendous increase in the price of goods and services across the country.
According to him, the situation is worsened by the lack of jobs for the youths, adding that market women can no longer go to market to restock their shops, as a result of the spiraling inflation.
Comrade Emerure, averred that Nigerians cannot afford hospital care, high cost of school fees as well as high cost of transportation, amid lack of increase in civil servants’ salaries.
USG called on the federal and the state governments, to monitor implementation of the palliative programme, so as to make it get to Nigerians who actually need the interventions.
Vice Chairman of USG, Comrade (Mrs.) Mirabel Imoto, who spoke in the same vein, emphasized that the price of commodities, are increasing daily.
She posited that it was the responsibility of government to make life better for all citizens.
The Media and Publicity Director of USG, Comrade Matthew Igiogio, on his part, called on the government to quickly listen to the cry of the masses.
Other members of USG present during the peaceful demonstration include: Dr. Daniel Owhoide; Assistant Secretary, Pastor Quincy Anthony, Comrade Godswill Karebo, Comr Tuoyo Erutode, Comrade Omotuwo Onovirakpo; State Treasurer, Comrade Kingsley Ohue and Comr Florence Mone.
Below is the full text of their press statement:
“The United Support Group is a Coalition of various support groups leaders, fervently advocating for the urgent attention of the deteriorating economic situation in our country Nigeria.
“We came out in our numbers in Asaba and Warri last week, Saturday, 4th November, 2023, to protest against the cost of living and the economic crisis crippling the country. There have been a spiraling high cost of living since the inception of this present government, hence this has sparked mass upset amongst Nigerians. This is a country once cast as a model economy in Africa, but today, the reverse is the case.
“We earmarked today for a Day 2 of the “economic hardship” demonstration that we’ve been facing in Nigeria.
“We can no longer cope with the situation of things again in the country. Everyday the prices of goods are going up, everything keeps going higher, therefore, we have decided to come out to join our voices with that of other helpless Nigerians that are dying in silence, to let the Federal and State Government know the pains that is being imposed on its citizens as a result of the unbefitting economic policies and their style of leadership.
We are tired! We are hungry! Cost of living is so unbearable,
“No jobs for our Youths, fuel subsidy removal is killing Nigerians, people are dying, they can no longer afford goods in the Market, and quality health care services, our children can no longer go back to school, more are dropping out of school thereby leading to youth restiveness and increased crime rate, transportation cost within and outside the state have skyrocketed since the inception of fuel subsidy removal, civil servants’ salaries remain fixed, yet the outraging cost of living is not fixed.
“Hence, we’re calling on the Federal and State Government to regig the economy and make life better for millions of suffering Nigerians, dying in silence everyday.”
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
