A former Minister of Health, Onyebuchi Chukwu, has lamented that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is not making the right moves to assuage the suffering of the people.
He asserted that short and medium-term measures have not been provided by the Federal Government to relieve the economic pains of the people 15 months after the abrupt removal of petrol subsidy.
The APC chieftain stated this during an appearance on Channels Television.
He argued that the petrol subsidy could not be completely removed, urging the President Bola Tinubu administration to take prompt remedial actions to mitigate the economic crisis in the country.
Chukwu said, “If the truth be said, as of now, we are not doing the right thing. Even as a doctor, if someone has a seemingly intractable problem, yes, you will give hope to the person but you must solve the problem. Someone is in pain and you are saying: ‘Don’t worry, in three months’ time…’ Are you crazy as a doctor? That person will leave you.
As a doctor, I know that there are immediate things that need to be done, medium-term things and long-term. Right now, people are suffering.
I think we cannot just withdraw subsidy completely. No matter how we look at it. Even now, there is still subsidy.
The truth is the major thing that brings us revenue is the oil and gas sector. It’s okay to say the President is the minister (of petroleum resources) but you must have things looked into thoroughly. It’s one place we’ve not gotten it right. It’s one place our leaders have not exercised that selflessness.”
