By Abiola Olawale
Elder statesman, former Federal Commissioner (Minister) for Information, and a prominent South-South leader, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, has weighed in on the severe economic crisis besetting Nigeria.
Clark, the national leader of the Ijaws, called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately declare a state of emergency on food scarcity due to widespread hunger and anger among Nigerians.
According to him, several people are hungry in the country.He explained that the last nationwide protest was an indication that many people are battling with the high cost of living.
Clark, the Leader of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), made this known while receiving a delegation of the Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (HOSTCOM), led by its president, High Chief Benjamin Tamaranebi.
He also advised the government to find practical solutions to alleviate poverty.
Sharing his perspective on oil subsidies in Nigeria, Clark emphasized the need for effective management and leadership to address the country’s problems.
He noted that though the fuel subsidy is a problem for the country, the removal has been causing significant pain for Nigerians.
He said: “Oil subsidy is a big problem in Nigeria. Oil subsidy is not confined to Nigeria alone, but everything in Nigeria does not work because of poor management and poor leadership. True, we all realize later that the oil subsidy was a scam.
“That was why in 2012, during the administration of Jonathan, in January 2012, his government removed the oil subsidy.
“During the 2023 presidential campaign, all the major parties talked about the removal of subsidies. But in 2020 and 2021, President Buhari, as well as the Minister of Finance, Ahmed, and the Minister of State Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, announced to Nigerians that there was no longer subsidy in Nigeria.
“We are also calling on the Federal government to as a matter of urgency, compel the International oil companies operating in our Niger Delta to begin the sale of crude oil to Dangote Refinery and other local Refinery in Naira to reduce and possibly eliminate importation of finished petroleum products into Nigeria.
“With the Nigeria Refineries producing locally, the price7 of petrol will reduce, which will ultimately reduce inflation and hardship in the country so that prices of commodities and staple foods like Fufu, Rice, Garri ete can come down.”
