NIGERIA’S state governors, under the aegis of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) have rejected criticisms and allegations that state governments had not been accountable for increased funds received as a result of the removal of the fuel subsidy, saying that cannot be true, opting to leave the debate for another day.
The NGF, however, said the issue was addressed through the Forum’s consideration of the proposed National Affordable CNG Transit Programme expected to reduce transportation fares in the country.
Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, who made the position known while reading a communiqué issued at the end of NGF’s third meeting on Thursday, August 27, in Abuja, said: “These are part of the issues that have been addressed, particularly with the number two that I just talked about today about transportation fares.
“You can see that the rise in the cost of every other thing is also hinged on the increase in transport.”
Diri stated that the governors were already working with the private sector to bring in Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), which is cheaper than petrol, and could reduce transportation costs and bring about a multiplier effect on every other sector, as impact of the subsidy-related measures is on the Nigerian masses.
He stated: “Transportation is key to several other factors. For instance, you are talking about foodstuffs, increase in the cost of foodstuffs, they will tell you, ‘I’m moving from point A to point B, the transport cost is XY.’ For that reason, the cost of my yam, cost of garri, etc, will go up.
“So, by the time you reduce the cost of transport, as I said earlier, it will have a multiplier effect on several other.”
The Forum had earlier received a presentation on the proposed state-led National Affordable CNG Transit Programme designed to translate the lower operating cost of CNG into reduced transport fares for citizens, with states’ support for CNG vehicle conversions, fleets and enabling infrastructure, alongside fare commitments from participating operators.
The governors observed that the initiative would ease transportation costs, but said its financing and implementation framework required further consideration.
