A GROUP of Nigerians in the Diaspora, the Diaspora Nigerians for Subsidy Re-Investment and Empowerment (DINA4SURE) has come out in support of subsidy removal and the Subsidy Re-Investment and Empowerment Programme (SURE) set up by the federal government, saying government should list projects to be funded by the re-investment programme and give a timeline to achieve results.
The group noted that even though the removal of fuel subsidy would greatly inconvenience many Nigerians in the short-term, it would enhance socio-economic development in the long run.
According to the convener of the confab, Dr. Kalu Kalu Diogu, who disclosed this to The Guardian, the group is engaged in the process of enlightening Nigerians in the Diaspora on how the subsidy removal would benefit the suffering masses throughout the country, especially rural dwellers that have no direct use for the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
Diogu noted that by removing the fuel subsidy, the Jonathan administration has demonstrated once again its commitment to transforming Nigeria. While regretting that the timing of the removal hampered peoples celebration of the Christmas and New Year holidays, DINA4SURE urged the federal government to expeditiously implement palliative measures, such as a mass transit system and expansion of the NNPC MEGA filling Stations across the country to cushion the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy on the masses.
The group appealed to social service providers not to unduly inflate the cost of their service based on the subsidy removal since according to it, this will be a total injustice to the ordinary consumers.
The Guardian