Amnesty International: Measures should have been in place to cushion effect of petrol subsidy removal

Amnesty International says there should have been measures in place to cushion the effect of the removal of petrol subsidy in Nigeria. 

In a statement on Thursday,  Isa Sanusi, acting director for Amnesty International Nigeria, said the looming fuel shortage crisis, caused by removal of the petrol subsidy, must be looked into urgently. 

According to Sanusi, the step taken by the government to remove subsidy ought to have been accompanied by incentives and protection to mitigate the effect.,  adding that this development should not contribute or worsen the poverty level in the country. 

“President Bola Tinubu’s decision to remove the fuel subsidy has left millions of Nigerians terrified about the knock-on effects that it will have on their daily lives,” he said. 

“Many are concerned that they will be unable to meet the costs of education, food and healthcare. The government is yet to suggest any ways to mitigate the impact of this decision for people on low incomes.

“While all countries are required to eventually remove all fossil fuel subsidies to meet their human rights obligations in the context of the climate crisis, they should not do so in a way that undermines the ability of people on low incomes to secure their right to an adequate standard of living.

“It is therefore vital that the removal of the subsidy is accompanied by social cushioning and protection measures.

“Nigerians should not have to pay the price of decades of political and economic mismanagement of the subsidy scheme. 

“The authorities must finally respond to longstanding demands by civil society and parliamentarians to investigate the fuel market chain and hold accountable all those involved in smuggling, hoarding and ‘subsidy scams’ — regardless of rank or status.

“The Nigerian authorities must urgently put in place measures to protect the rights of people most affected by the removal of the fuel subsidies and prioritise addressing widespread hunger, higher unemployment and the rapidly falling standard of living.”

On Monday, during his inaugural speech, Tinubu said petrol subsidy would be scrapped, citing budgetary concerns. 

This decision has led to the scarcity of petrol as well long queues at gas stations. 

Afterwards, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) also announced an adjustment to the pump price–a development many are not finding suitable.