by Olumide Onabajo

The removal of fuel subsidy has been a topic of great concern among Nigerians, particularly those working in private organizations who are already suffering from the harsh economic situation in the country. The government’s decision to end fuel subsidy has had a ripple effect on the economy, thereby increasing the cost of living, and ultimately affecting the masses.

One major effect of the fuel subsidy removal is the increase in the price of fuel, thereby making transportation and other expenses more expensive. This has made it difficult for most Nigerians to meet up with their daily expenses, as fuel directly affects the cost of other commodities and services.

The announcement by the Federal Government to give extra N25,000 and N35,000 to government workers to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal has been welcomed by many, but this has raised questions about the fate of those working in private organizations. Most private organizations do not care about the welfare of their staff; some deduct pensions and do not remit, some deduct taxes and do not remit as well. These private organizations have not taken any proactive steps or measures to reduce the impact of fuel subsidy removal on their staff.

It is important to note that the welfare of employees is not only the responsibility of the government but that of private organizations as well. Private organizations play a crucial role in the country’s economy, and they must ensure that their employees are not left to bear the brunt of government policies alone.

The government should, therefore, take proactive steps to monitor private organizations and hold them accountable for not taking appropriate measures to alleviate the effect of fuel subsidy removal on their employees. This could be done by ensuring that private organizations equally provide palliatives to their staff, such as salary increment or allowances.

In addition, private organizations should also take the initiative to provide their employees with welfare packages that could help cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal. These welfare packages could include subsidized transport fares, health insurance or financial support to cover the cost of fuel for their employees.

In conclusion, everybody in the country is affected by the removal of fuel subsidy, and the government needs to ensure that they provide support to every citizen, including those working in private organizations. While the government has announced its plans to support government workers, more needs to be done to ensure that private organizations do not leave their staff to suffer alone. Private organizations must take the initiative to provide welfare packages for their staff to ensure that they do not suffer unduly. By working together, both the government and private organizations can mitigate the adverse effect of fuel subsidy removal on the masses.

Olumide Onabajo QCA°
Public Policy Technocrat