CSOs from 19 northern states write President Buhari over increasing insecurity, planned fuel subsidy removal

By Abdul Isah

A coalition of Civil Society Organisation CSO, across the 19 Northern states of the country, under aegis of the Conference of Northern Nigeria Civil Society Networks, has drawn the attention of  President Muhammadu Buhari  to the worsening security situation in the country with daily attack on highways, armed banditry, kidnappings and terrorism, especially in Northern states like Borno, Niger, Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara and others.

The open letter read in part, “While we appreciate the untiring efforts of our gallant armed forces, it is imperative for the Nigerian armed forces and Nigeria police to enhance their cooperation and improve their synergy”. “This is to proactively combat the terror of these evil people by taking the fight to their dens.

The letter jointly signed by the coalition chairman, Ibrahim A. Waiya and Secretary General, Amb. Ibrahim Yusuf, on Thursday was sent to Solacebase.

Also, the letter was endorsed by CSO representatives from the nineteen northern states of the federation.

Solacebase reports that the Conference of Northern States Civil Society Networks is a forum of states based civil society networks operating in the Nineteen Northern states of Nigeria.

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The establishment of the platform was conceived in 2017, and inaugurated on 28th March, 2021 as a regional network of non-governmental, non-partisan, not for profit, non-ethnic and non-religious platform.

The coalition in the letter warned the federal Government against the proposed removal of fuel subsidy.

It said that unless the country’s refineries are up and running as well as producing maximally, or ownership of the refineries transferred to the private sector, the Federal Government must reconsider such decision come June 2022.

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It added that such move will only aggravate the sufferings of the masses, whose larger percentage finds it difficult to cater for the immediate needs of their families due to the present economic crunch.

The letter also expressed concern over the spate of increased unemployment across the country. This, according to the letter leaves a third of the country’s work force unemployed at the year 2021 is folding up.

According to a data, it credited to the Word Poverty Clock, Nigeria had 43 percent of its population that is over 90 million people living below the poverty line of less than $1.90 per day, therefore fuel subsidy removal at this hardest time in the country, is nothing but an invitation to a higher level of poverty and social insecurity.

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It is our honest submission that removal of fuel subsidy could only be perceptible when our refineries are fixed and operate maximally or they are privatized to allow private business to own and operate them. Nigeria must have the capacity to refine its products, at least for local consumption

“As the country is steadily drifting into more economic difficulties due to high inflation, we are of the opinion that, one of the practical avenues to be exploited is reduction of the cost of governance, adding that the cost of Governance is comparatively one of the most expensive in the whole of Africa.

“The over burdening of the economy through recurrent expenditure which goes to only few in the country is outrageous. The payment of salaries and allowances to Government appointed and elected officials is on the high side, and detrimental to the majority of the Nigerians. Ministries, Department and Agencies with duplicate mandates are so enormous and sadly unprecedented”.

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The letter also noted that “In the recent submission of the DG, Budget Office of the Federation, at the third national summit on diminishing corruption in the public sector, which was held at the State House, suggested that the number of ministers needed to be pruned, and the number of political office holders and their aides needed to be reduced.

The Civil Society Groups, also urge the President to expedite action to implement the White Paper on Restructuring and Rationalization of Federal Government Agencies, Departments and Commissions, and ensure that the work is accomplished before the end of his tenure. According to Stephen Oronsaye committee report submitted on April 16, 2012, there were 263 MDAs in Nigeria, and unfortunately the number is still counting as Senate and House of Reps are still busy promulgating laws to establish new agencies and commissions, despite the nominal impacts of such Commissions or Agencies to the overall development of the country.

It also alerted that president on the devastating condition of education, particularly in the North, following the increasing insecurity in the country. This account for the raising number of out of school children.

CSOs northern states