An independent, non-governmental and not-for-profit organization, Conscience Nigeria, established for the promotion of good governance, rule of law, democracy and the strengthening of a civil society, has joined the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) in urging President Muhammadu Buhari not to remove fuel subsidy without increasing local refining capacity.

Conscience Nigeria Charged President Buhari to begin the turnaround maintenance of refineries in the country and also commence the building of several coastal refineries that are cost effective and not too bogus.

In addition, the group urged Buhari to revive the Ajaokuta Steel Company in order to create millions of jobs and review the 2015 budget.

“Mr President should equally diversify our economy through the rejuvenation of Ajaokuta steel company that will create millions of jobs and not focus on cosmetics job creation we have seen in the past where young able bodies were employed to be sweeping street or ride Keke Napep”

We appeal to Mr. President to review 2015 budget and refocus it to dedicate 40% of it to job creation for young people that made the change possible because the unemployment situation in the country is a time bomb waiting to explode”

“If the subsidy is removed without these identified issues fixed, then we will not hesitate to mobilize Nigerians against this unpopular policy that will definitely bring hardship to Nigerian masses,” Comrade Tosin Adeyanju, the Executive Director said in a statement made available to Vanguard.