Several civil servants in Abuja have urgently called on the Nigerian Federal Government to take immediate action to alleviate their suffering, stating that life has become increasingly difficult since the removal of fuel subsidies.
Those who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria explained that the cost of living has become unbearable, especially for those residing in the city. They believe it is crucial for the government to intervene and mitigate the effects of the current conditions.
Felicia Anthony shared her personal challenges, expressing the difficulty she faces in managing the escalating expenses of her children’s school fees, rent, and transportation with her current salary.
“Since the removal of fuel subsidies, it has become extremely challenging. Before, with just N400, you could commute from New Nyanya to town and back. But now, even N1000 is not sufficient,” she lamented.
“The removal of fuel subsidies has caused a general increase in the prices of goods and services. I pray that the Federal Government provides assistance to citizens, as ordinary civil servants can no longer cope with their current salaries,” Anthony added.
Anthony called on the government to address the citizens’ difficulties and consider raising salaries to a reasonable level. She also urged the government to implement measures to regulate the prices of goods and services. Currently, many sellers take advantage of the fuel subsidy removal to exploit consumers by raising prices indiscriminately.
Ukwa Denis, another civil servant, stressed that the current economic situation is not only unbearable for civil servants but for all Nigerians. He emphasized that everyone is affected by the rising cost of living and the pursuit of a decent life.
Denis further expressed his opinion that the government should have revived the nation’s refineries and petroleum industries before removing the fuel subsidies, in order to mitigate the suffering caused by the subsidy removal.
“As civil servants, our salaries cannot sustain us under the present economic conditions. I appeal to the government to find ways to alleviate the suffering of both civil servants and other Nigerians who are not employed in the public sector,” Denis stated.
Muhammed Idris, another respondent, decried the current situation as unnecessary and incomprehensible, given the nation’s abundant resources, including the blessing of oil.
“It is disheartening to witness what our nation is going through. The leaders of the past experienced a time when our refineries were functioning properly. Why can’t we fix them?” Idris questioned.
Idris appealed to President Bola Tinubu to prioritize the repair of refineries and take necessary steps to alleviate the suffering of Nigerian citizens.
NAN
