Rivers Reaction on Subsidy Removal

As labour unions in the country gear up to protest over the removal of fuel subsidy, the federal government has been called upon to deregulate the entire oil sector to ensure effective management.

A  Public Affairs analyst, Chief Osilem Emmanuel who made the call in an interview with our correspondent in Port Harcourt, emphasized that deregulating the oil sector should be holistic to address all issues affecting the sector.

Chief Emmanuel, who commended the Federal Government for removing subsidy on petrol, said the effort would check the monumental fraud and other mal practices associated with the entire subsidy concept.

He urged the Federal government to guide against price manipulation by oil marketers and also encourage the establishment of new refineries to ensure enough products for local consumption.

While emphasizing that the removal of subsidy on petrol was coming rather belated, Chief Emmanuel however noted that fixing the refineries and providing adequate storage facilities, should have been done to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal.