Adamawa Deputy Gov advocates total fuel subsidy removal
By; Jacob Onjewu Dickson, Kaduna
More prominent Nigerians are lending their voices in support of the total removal of fuel subsidy regime from the nation’s petroleum industry, with the Deputy Governor of Adamawa State Engineer Martins Babale being the latest advocate.
He expressed his views on the issue while responding to questions from newsmen in Kaduna.
“The problem with our nation is that people don’t want change. When we talk about privatisation, or removing subsidy, it is the only solution to the fuel scarcity in Nigeria when it is done, investors will come in and build refineries.
“Let everyone be allowed to bring in fuel, competition will then come in and stabilize the price,” he stressed.
Commenting on the dividends of democracy from the APC-led government in Adamawa State, he said that so much was being done to touch the lives of the masses.
“Thank God for the zeal of the governor of Adamawa State. When we came in there was nothing on ground, nothing in the treasury. He came in with a vision and we have a vision. Now we have network of roads going on, about 23 roads from Mubi to Yola and other parts of the state. Asides that, we have other programmes that are touching the lives of the people. We are floating a programme called ‘Bindow For Social Change’ which is seriously touching lives.
“Thank God for the bailout, we have been able to clear outstanding salaries. There are so many programmes too numerous to mention but we are focused people,” he assured.
On the demise of Prince Abubakar Audu, he described it as shocking “I remember when APC Progressives Governors’ Forum met in Bauchi, Audu was there, with Timipre Sylva from Bayelsa State to give us situation report on their preparedness for the elections. When the national headquarters decided to go to Lokoja to present the flag , I was also there in Lokoja. Along the streets people were dancing shouting, I remember the way Prince Abubakar Audu was dancing like it was his last dance despite his age and we also joined him in dancing. So I call on Kogi people to look up to God. Unfortunately this thing happened I call on them to bear the loss,” he advised.
When he was asked to suggest a way forward out of the development, he said that INEC should have clear solution to the brewing crisis. “The election is between APC and PDP, not between Audu as a person and Wada the present governor. The problem is from about 90 poling units
left out of thousands. I am not a lawyer the APC is contesting the election, not an individual. I believe the running mate is a good candidate, but that is left with INEC, no one should talk about any personality,” he opined.
