FOBTOB slams FG on subsidy removal, FX policies
By Joy Obakeye
The National President of the Food, Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association (FOBTOB), Comrade Jimoh Oyibo, has faulted the decision of the Federal Government on petrol subsidy removal, stressing that the ripple effect on the country is far more than the gains.
Comrade Oyibo stressed that the government ought to rollout palliative before taking such action,
Speaking at the union’s 45th anniversary celebration in Lagos on Wednesday, the labour leader acknowledged that subsidies in the country have been a get-quick reach scheme, but more consultations should have been explored.
“We are all Nigerians, and all we desire, and demand is good governance. When the nation’s President made the first gaffe in his inaugural speech, by declaring that subsidy was gone, he did not realize the domino effect of his statement, no longer as an aspirant, but as an elected President.
He illustrated that “We all agree that the subsidy scheme as practised in our country is a scam, but we expected a responsible government, that cared for the people to understand that some things needed to be put in place first before the sudden removal.
He bemoaned the fact that the Naira was allowed to float alongside the subsidy removal, stating that the move was a double jeopardy for the citizens.
“FOBTOB supports the call of the labour centres to shut down the country if any further increase in the price of petroleum products is implemented.
“It is not too late for the government to admit it has no clue about what to do and call on patriotic experts to proffer a solution. That is why we are not impressed by the Ministerial list sent to the Senate for confirmation. We see it as a payback list and recycling of the same individuals who brought us to this sorry situation.”
Speaking further, Comrade Oyibo asserted that the Industry is not immune to what is happening in the economy. Inaccessibility to forex is a major challenge as well as inadequate infrastructure. The gas that many in our industry utilize to power their operations has also increased in cost and this affects the cost of production.
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“Thus, it leaves one to wonder, if corporate organisations are finding it tough under this economic clime, what about private individuals who are our members? This prompted us to send a letter to the Association of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employers (AFBTE) to consider our proposal for cushioning the effect of the fuel subsidy removal, and we were advised to take this up at the enterprise level. We appreciate those managers that have heeded our call and done something for our members.
“At the same time, we call on others who are still undecided to not ignore our call,” he urged.
