Fuel Subsidy Removal: NBA Tasks Fashola To Roll Out Palliative Measures

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Ikeja branch has asked the Lagos State Government to roll out palliative measures for residents of the state from its anticipated gain in the fuel subsidy removal.

The association made this request in a petition presented to Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) when members of the branch marched to the governor’s office in protest against military occupation of Lagos.

The petition was signed by Chairman of the NBA branch, Mr. Adegbamigbe Omole and General Secretary Mr. Adesina Ogunlana.

The association in the petition argued that since the state government was in support of the fuel subsidy removal despite mass protests against the policy, it must as a matter of necessity, roll out measures to cushion the effect on the people.

Part of the petition reads:”Lest we forget, we respectfully take the liberty to remind the Lagos State Government that it was very much a part of the decision to formulate and implement the fuel subsidy removal policy and so ought to realise the social consequences of such unpopular policy.

“We charge your government to roll out its own palliative measures derived from the gains of the oil subsidy as well as ensure that the billions of naira that would accrue to the coffers of the state are used fully, meaningfully and exclusively for the benefit of the people of Lagos State.”

The association also condemned the occupation of parts of Lagos by soldiers, saying its a blatant breach of the fundamental human rights of the people of Lagos State.

“Our branch is constrained to forward this petition to your exalted office as regards the presence of military personnel in some key areas of Lagos State since Monday 16 January 2012.

“Our branch feels very embarrassed at the presence of these soldiers in Lagos streets when there is no war or insurgency in the state moreso when there is no breakdown of law and order or declaration of state of emergency.

“We respectfully and with all sense of responsibility express our fears that the sheer presence of the military in Lagos can be exploited by mischief makers and enemies of Lagos State to cause or trigger off mayhem, leading to a breakdown of law and order in the state.

“We are aware of your Excellency’s broadcast decrying the deployment of troops. However, we believe that the government of Lagos should do much more than a broadcast in seeing that normalcy returns to Lagos,” it stated.

—Henry Ojelu