News
‘We can’t cope’, Abuja Civil servants abandon their vehicles over fuel hike
Civil servants in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) now pack their vehicles and use public transportation due to the high cost of fuel, a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) survey reveals.
Some of them who spoke to NAN in Abuja on Sunday said it is cheaper to use public transportation than to use personal vehicles to work and other engagements.
Mrs Elizabeth Ekwere (pseudo name), civil servant, said she decided to pack her vehicle as it was no longer sustainable to use it with the current pump price of fuel and her meagre salary.
Ekwere who said it was cheaper to use public transportation, said she had also reduced the number of days she went to work to avoid going into debt.
”Every week I drive my car to work, I spend nothing less than N100,000 on fuel alone. I have not talked about the food I and the children eat. When I bought the fuel for two weeks, I told myself the truth that I cannot continue.
“I had to pack the vehicle because I cannot continue to spend huge amount of money on a daily basis which will result to me living above my means.
“Now, with the permission of my superiors in the office, we go to work two times in a week depending on your schedules,” she said.
Mr Festus Ugwu, a public servant, said his vehicle which he usually packed every work day was being used only on Sunday to take his family to church.
Ugwu said although he was afraid of the activities of ‘one chance’ group, he was using public transportation to cut cost.
He appealed to the Federal Government to pay minimum wage and other allowances to help cushion the effect of the fuel pump price hike on workers. Using car is a luxury now because you pay through your nose to maintain it.
”One has to calculate very well before driving to any place now because it is not wisdom to spend all your earnings on fuel,” he said.
Caroline Ade, also a civil servant, said the increase in fuel pump price had forced many citizens to live like people abroad.
Ade, who said that many workers living abroad used train transportation to and fro work, appealed to the government to revive the train system for a more reliable and sustainable transportation network.
Mr Emeka Eluagu, another public servant, said the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiative of the Federal Government, when fully implemented, would help cut transportation cost for workers.
Eluagu appealed to the government to ensure effective support to enable the CNG initiative to work.
“I do not think that we are prepared for this CNG thing because I saw a video where someone’s CNG car exploded.
“The government needs to take this CNG thing seriously as an alternative to this fuel hike,” he said.
Aisha Mahmoud, also a civil servant advised the government to introduce govt-owned buses to help convey workers and other citizens to their destination at a cheaper rate.
Mahmoud said the initiative would help cushion the effect of the high cost of fuel and also reduce activities of one chance groups in the FCT.
”Many people are now selling off their fuel consuming vehicles to go for the ones that have fuel economy,” she said.
NAN reports that a litre of fuel is now being sold between N1,030 and N1,400.
(NAN)
News
Lawmaker, Dennis Agbo hails NBA’s visionary leadership
The Lawmaker representing Igboeze North/Udenu Federal Constituency of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Dennis Nnamdi AGBO (FCA) has praised Governor Peter Ndubisi Mba’s “visionary leadership” in Enugu State.
Agbo highlighted the governor’s focus on human capital development, security, and infrastructure as crucial to achieving his goal of growing the state’s economy from $4 billion to $32 billion by 2027.
“This ambitious goal of the Governor will be far fetched if the residents do not optimise the number of working days in the week, and the working hours in the day. Hence the government has ensured from the onset the termination of the Monday sit at home, and deployed enough security to bring in night life into the economy of the State.
Other enabling environment is provided to make Enugu State a tourist and investment destination of choice.” He affirmed.
The lawmaker further noted that Governor Mba’s initiatives have set him apart as a role model in the Southeast stressing that the governor’s use of technology to enhance security, build smart schools, and establish state-of-the-art healthcare centers, was commendable.
Hon. Agbo emphasized that the state government’s investment in security has enabled residents to move freely and conduct businesses without restrictions, five days a week.
He expressed optimism that Enugu State would become the premier investment destination in the Southeast due to the progress made in infrastructure, security, and ease of doing business.
Notably, Agbo’s praise for Governor Mba remains significant, given that he is a member of the Labour Party, which claimed to have been robbed of its victory in Enugu State.
His comments no doubt reflect his commitment to governance over politics, echoing the words of the President that “time for politics is over”
Hon. Agbo who spoke to journalists in Abuja, also enjoined the Enugu State indigenes both home and abroad to support what the Governor was doing to move the state forward adding that the over all interest of the state should be placed above politics.
News
2025 Budget is ambitious, growth sustaining -Prof Nnamchi
Professor Paul Sunday Nnamchi, a federal lawmaker, has praised the 2025 national budget proposal, calling it ambitious and growth-sustaining.
He believed that the budget was aimed at reassessing the government’s transformation agenda, its impact on the production and the overall economy in addition to making sure that the government’s monetary and fiscal policies were in tandem.
The proposed budget according to him, “is expected to bring down interest rates, support investments, promote production, and sustain growth and reduce inflation. He stressed.
Professor Nnamchi also acknowledged the progress made in security, particularly in the Niger Delta region, which has contributed to the increase in oil production from 1.2 barrels a day to 1.8 barrels a day.
Key highlights of the budget proposal include: A significant allocation to security, which Professor Nnamchi observed that it was crucial for addressing food security concerns and reducing the cost of staple foods.
“Increase in oil production and agriculture due to improved security situation in the troubled areas will raise our GDP significantly, which could bring down inflation from 39% to 15 % going by medium term expenditure frameworks”
He noted stressing that the budget outlined proposed measures that would also support investments, promote production, and sustain growth while reducing inflation.
Such measures, he stated includes investments in infrastructure development, which were expected to stimulate economic growth and attract foreign direct investments.
“While ambitious, this budget is grounded in sound economic principles, and its successful implementation will depend on our collective resolve as representatives of the people to ensure that every naira allocated serves its purpose and delivers tangible benefits to Nigerians.”
Overall, Professor Nnamchi emphasized the need to prioritize national interest and work towards moving the nation forward urging that Nigeria should be placed above sectional interest.
News
Work for Peace and Unity of Nigeria’, Obi tasks Ohaneaze president, Mbata
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The leader of the opposition Labour Party and the 2023 Presidential flag bearer, Peter Obi, has admonished the newly elected leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide led by Senator John Azuta Mbata to work towards peace and unity of the nation.
Writing on his X handle in a congratulatory message to the Executive, Obi urged the new Executive to leverage their position, which shows the people’s confidence in them to strengthen the Igbo family and unite the country.
“On behalf of my family and the Obedient movement, I congratulate the Newly Elected President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Senator John Azuta-Mbata; the Deputy President General, Prince Okey Nwadinobi; the Secretary-General, Emeka Sibeudu, and other newly elected executive members, on their emergence as the leaders of the noble organization.
“Their emergence as the leaders of Ohaneze Ndigbo, the umbrella body that unites the Igbo people, underscores the level of confidence and hope the people have in their leadership ability and their commitment to the development of the region and the nation in general.
“I pray that they will leverage their new offices to continue to work for the peace and unity of our nation and contribute immeasurably to ideas that will drive development, peace, and progress among the people.
“May God give you all, the wisdom and strength to serve the people.
A New Nigeria remains Possible.
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