Since the removal of fuel subsidies in Nigeria, prices of fuel have skyrocketed, and this has increased the cost of transportation by 100%.
As many Nigerians are being frustrated by the current situation, experts have started weighing in on the matter, suggesting things the government should do to assist its citizens. Experts note that the Nigerian government should prioritize providing palliatives for the transportation sector to alleviate the impact of the fuel subsidy removal.
According to experts, this can be achieved by reducing passenger fares, addressing excessive taxes on public transport operators, and implementing mass transportation solutions. Other alternative experts have weighed in on the need for the government to embrace compressed natural gas (CNG) as an alternative fuel and establish the necessary infrastructure that can help reduce the cost of fuel and subsequently decrease passenger fares.
They note that this will help address affordability by reducing contributing factors to transportation cost increases or increasing the minimum wage, which will help tackle the issue of transport poverty.
While experts believe that the removal of the fuel subsidy wasn’t a bad idea, however, they believe that the issue with the removal lies in the absence of a well-defined program to enable citizens to cope with the aftermath of the subsidy removal.
Speaking to Nairametrics, a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Nigeria, Chigozie Chikere told the publication that what really matters now is “the steps being taken to mitigate the impact on transportation.”
He equally notes that to help Nigerians manage the impact of increased passenger fares, the government should genuinely embrace the CNG alternative, that this will lead to more vehicle conversions and subsequently reduce the cost of fuel.
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