By Emmanuel Adebanjo
The Federal Government should also consider the practical reality facing ordinary Nigerians.
When citizens are told to go to their state governors to ask what they are receiving from increased federal revenue, how does an ordinary market woman, farmer, commercial driver, petty trader or low-income family gain access to the governor’s office?
Most ordinary citizens will never have such access.
Therefore, the responsibility should not be transferred to the people. The Federal Government should design a system through which the benefit of petroleum-sector reform can reach citizens directly and transparently.
Rather than simply increasing the amount of money available to state governments and expecting the public to seek the benefit from them, the Federal Government could develop clearly defined programmes targeted at the areas where fuel costs affect Nigerians most.
For example:
1. TRANSPORTATION
If fuel becomes cheaper, commercial transport operators should be encouraged to pass a measurable portion of the savings to passengers through lower or stabilized fares.
Using a simple example:
If petrol becomes ₦200 cheaper per litre, and a commercial operator uses 400 litres per day:
₦200 × 400 = ₦80,000 daily fuel-cost savings.
That saving should not disappear without a visible benefit to the passengers who depend on that transportation every day.
2. MARKET MEN AND WOMEN
Market traders depend heavily on transportation to bring food and other goods from farms and distribution centres to markets.
Reducing transportation and distribution costs can help reduce the pressure that fuel expenses place on the prices of food and essential commodities.
3. FARMERS
Farmers also pay for transportation, farm machinery, pumping, processing and the movement of their produce to markets.
A reduction in fuel-related operating costs can therefore help farmers reduce production and distribution expenses.
4. SCHOOLCHILDREN AND STUDENTS
Transportation costs are also part of the daily burden on families with schoolchildren and students.
Where appropriate, government can consider targeted transportation support or programmes that reduce the cost of getting children and students to school.
5. SMALL BUSINESSES
Small businesses that depend on generators, transportation and delivery services are particularly affected by energy and fuel costs.
Reducing those costs can allow small businesses to retain more of their income, employ more people and keep the prices of their products and services more affordable.
THE PRINCIPLE
The Federal Government should consider a simple principle:
If Nigerians are being asked to make sacrifices because of subsidy reform, Nigerians should also be able to see and feel the benefits of that reform.
The benefit should not exist only in government financial statements or in increased allocations to state governments.
It should be visible in:
lower transportation costs, lower distribution costs, better access to markets, support for farmers, relief for small businesses and reduced pressure on household expenses.
This is not an argument against funding state governments. States have important responsibilities.
It is an argument for creating additional, transparent mechanisms that connect petroleum-sector savings directly to the citizens who bear the economic burden of the reform.
The Federal Government should therefore examine this proposal and consider how a portion of the economic gains from petroleum reform can be converted into direct, measurable and publicly accountable benefits for ordinary Nigerians.
Emmanuel Adebanjo
Concern Citizen and Community Advocate.
