Youths Want Action Plan For Subsidy Savings

The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has urged governments at all levels to develop action plan for the judicious utilisation of the funds accruing from the removal of fuel subsidy.

Briefing journalists in Enugu, the Enugu State Chairman of the council, Mr. Temple Chika, said such a plan would restore the confidence of the people in government.

Chika said the council would resist any attempt by the federal, state or local government to divert the savings for non-development purposes.

“Government at all levels who are captured as beneficiaries to implement the SURE document should begin to bring to the front burner clear cut action plans for the utilisation of funds accruable from the fuel subsidy removal in order to restore masses confidence in the new policy.“

Chika said the council was putting measures in place to monitor the use of the funds, including town hall meetings to hold the leaders accountable for their stewardship.

He urged the Federal Government to immediately commence all palliative measures necessary to cushion the effects of the hardship posed by the increase in the price of fuel.

Government should commence immediate mass employment of the youth in fulfillment of Mr. President’s promise to the young people during his campaign and at various meetings with youth leaders in the country.“

Chika called on all youth organisations in the country to support and stand by the government in ensuring a successful implementation of the policy in the interest of peace and stability.

According to him, the council will continue to enlighten its teeming members across the state to reduce any tension created by the full deregulation of the oil sector.

On the security challenges, Chika said the council was consulting with its members in the Northern part of the country on the best ways of addressing the problem.

The briefing was attended by representatives of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), the youth wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Muslim Youth Organisation and Youth Empowerment and Leadership Foundation.