AFRICA/NIGERIA - Abolition of the subsidy on petrol, "a decision that affects the poor", say the Bishops, denouncing the "insensitive timing" in the face of attacks

Abuja (Agenzia Fides) - The Bishops of the Ecclesiastical Province of Ibadan (southern Nigeria) say they "saddened" for the "unpopular decision" to abolish subsidies on petrol, which has experienced a dramatic and sudden increase in fuel prices. On 1 January, the federal government abolished the subsidies that kept the retail price of petrol at around 65 naira per litre (0.30 euros). The price of fuel immediately rose up even to 140 naira per litre (0.66 euros), a prohibitive figure for many in a Country where the majority of the population lives on less than two dollars a day (1.5 euro). The measure provoked strong protests by Nigerians, increasing the tension caused by the attacks of the Boko Haram sect. "Many Nigerians who went to their cities and villages of origin to celebrate Christmas and New Year cannot even afford to return to their places of work because of rising petrol prices", says a statement sent to Fides.
The government justified the step as a measure to prevent fraud on the sale of fuels. "We note with deep regret that this Country has become a tradition to hurt the poor because of the selfish interests of a few who have fraudulently enriched in collusion with those who are in power. The poor must suffer to bring a smile to the rich? " Replicate the Bishops.
The Bishops conclude by relating the removal of the subsidy with the tensions caused by the wave of attacks unleashed by the Boko Haram sect, which has particularly affected the Christian community. "Although it is not fair to blame President Jonathan’s government for all the negative aspects and things that happen in Nigeria, the government must take full responsibility for the insensitive timing of its policy on fuel subsidy. The government seems to have already decided on the elimination of subsidies long before the so-called consultations, or does not seem to care that dozens of Nigerians were horribly killed a few days before near our Federal Capital? ". (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 09/01/2012)