By AUSTIN OGWUDA
ALTHOUGH, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State has never hidden his feeling that removal of fuel subsidy was long overdue, when it eventually came, he did not hesitate to put palliatives measures in place in his State.

He made it clear that while launching 100 brand new buses in subsidizing transport fares in the State that “deregulation is a difficult decision but it has to be done if the economy must grow.

“In Delta, we are aware that fuel subsidy encouraged the establishment of many illegal refineries fed by illegally bunkered crude. Illegal bunkering apart from being a major avenue for economic sabotage is also a major source of environmental damage. Ending this scourge has been  difficult problem; hopefully with subsidy removal we should see the end of illegal refineries.

“As I follow the debate on deregulation”, he went on, “it is clear subsidy on petrol has been grossly abused. The intended benefit for the vulnerable groups in the country had been lost. Subsidy had become a policy to protect the rich instead of the weak. With the withdrawal of the subsidy, resources can now be deployed to address critical areas of our economy.”

He further stated that “In Delta, we will utilize our earnings to address such critical infrastructure as: i) education; by renovating, building and equipping most public schools; ii) Power; iii) Agriculture; iv)Transport; by constructing durable roads, mass transit vehicles and boats. v)  Health; by providing mobile Clinic vehicles and Boats.

The governor also immediately set up a three man- palliatives committee on the removal of fuel subsidy with boardroom guru, Mr Gamaliel O. Onosode as chairman, Chief Philip Asiodu and Mrs. Elizabeth Adegite as members with the mandate to monitor the implementation of the proceeds from subsidy removal.

Governor Uduaghan directed that the buses would charge the old fares before subsidy was removed. He revealed that the new buses will bring the fleet of buses and taxis owned by the state government to 700 with an assurance that the state government will in few weeks take delivery of 50 Marco_Polo buses and boats.

“In this case, the over 600 buses & 100 taxis purchased by the state government and currently being handled by various transport operators are to revert to the old fares before the removal of fuel subsidy,” he said.

In order to ensure the effective deployment of these vehicles across the State, Government will utilize the following agencies:  i.  Delta Transport Service, otherwise known as Delta Line;  ii.  Agofure Motors;  iii. National Union of Road   Transport Workers; and iv.  Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC).

But barely one week after the governor’s pronouncements on the fare issue, he decided to find out for himself whether the directive was being adhered to. So precisely on the 19th of January the governor paid a surprise visit to the  State_owned Transport Company operators of Delta Line in Asaba as early as 6.30am and immediately ordered that no passenger should be charged high fare other than what was being charged before the last Christmas.

The Governor who was visibly angry threatened to sack any worker in the State sabotaging the implementation of palliative measures put in place to cushion the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy.

He wondered why his directive during the commissioning of 100 18_seater  Hiace buses, asking the benefitting transport companies to revert to the old fare before Christmas was being flouted even by the State_owned company.

Ticketing clerks were fidgeting as the governor quickly ordered them to refund the excess fares charged the passengers who were already seated waiting for departure to Abuja and Lagos. The passengers  in turn applauded the governor’s gesture.

Governor Uduaghan warned, “I don’t want a repeat of this. Do not collect more than the fare you were charging before Christmas. If you repeat this, I will show you the way out”.

“Do not exploit the people. Be considerate and charge moderate fares. There should not be anything like special seasonal fares. Instead of high fares, it should be lower”, he thundered as he received cheers from the passengers. What an affective way of ensuring compliance!