Business
Thisday Editor, Olaleye Tells Why Fuel Queues Are “Economic Sabotage”
“Subsidy has been paid for in the current budget”
Olawale Olaleye, an Editor at the high-flying newspaper, Thisday has revealed why the growing fuel queues over the disclosure by new President, Bola Tinubu that fuel subsidy is gone are economic sabotage.
Tinubu made the disclosure in his inaugural speech on May 29, 2023.
Immediately, after the revelation, fuel queues started forming in different parts of the country as fuel stations shut down operations or hiked prices. The queues continue to grow at press time.
Olaleye advanced reasons why the moves are economic sabotage in a post with the title “Fuel Queues: This Is Economic Sabotage!” on his social media page.
The post reads…
Whatever the gas stations are doing across the country, following the “subsidy is gone” remark by President Bola Tinubu is nothing but economic sabotage.
Subsidy has been paid for in the current budget, which is still operational until June, and this is not a piece of information unavailable to them.
Therefore, the remarks by the president notwithstanding, there should not have been queues in fuel stations because some people are either hoarding the products or hiking the pump prices.
This is a challenge to the NNPC. It has to swing into action and do the needful. The fuel stations are operating a licensed business and, as such, are guided by rules and regulations.
Tinubu didn’t remove the subsidy; it’s a matter of law already settled by the former administration. His statement was just a reminder of what is to be expected.
To now shut down fuel stations, hoard products or hike prices is sheer economic sabotage, and the authorities must rise up to the challenge.
Agents of the NNPC need to start going round gas stations in parts of the country to monitor activities and sanction saboteurs.
The law enforcement agencies, too, must give support for effect while the solicitor-general of the federation must be ready to take this up.
This is total nonsense and should not be treated with kids’ gloves. Enough of this optional madness. There’s a cure for it.
