In light of President Bola Tinubu’s recent removal of fuel subsidies, the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) has voiced concerns over the lack of tangible outcomes from this decision. The organization is urging all levels of government in Nigeria to prioritize social justice and implement targeted measures to alleviate the resulting hardships faced by citizens.
In a statement released on Tuesday, CSJ’s Lead Director, Eze Onyekpere, emphasized the need for government action to address increasing poverty, hunger, and deteriorating living conditions exacerbated by rising living costs. He underscored the urgent necessity to bridge the gap of inequality and injustice prevalent in the country, particularly against the backdrop of extravagant lifestyles exhibited by public officials while the populace suffers.
Onyekpere pointed out that despite the substantial increase in resources available to the government following the subsidy removal and the Naira’s floatation, there has been little evidence of these funds being invested for the public good. He lamented the absence of visible progress in areas such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and housing, which were expected to benefit from these additional resources.
Comparing the current situation to previous administrations, Onyekpere highlighted the Petroleum Trust Fund during General Sani Abacha’s presidency and the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Program (SURE-P) initiated under President Goodluck Jonathan as examples of successful approaches to manage the gains from fuel subsidy removal. However, he criticized the current administration, stating that it has failed to deliver on its promises, with increased governmental spending and frivolous expenditures overshadowing any potential benefits for the public.
CSJ’s recommendations include a significant reduction in the cost of governance, the formation of alliances with competent individuals across political affiliations to address economic challenges, and the establishment of social welfare programs to support vulnerable Nigerians facing economic hardships. Additionally, CSJ calls for a renewed commitment from government officials to prioritize service delivery and uphold the principles of social justice for the collective well-being of the nation.
As Nigeria commemorates the World Day of Social Justice 2024 under the theme “Bridging Gaps, Building Alliances,” CSJ’s message underscores the critical need for decisive action to address the widening disparities and injustices within the country’s socio-economic landscape.
