Alakoso of Epe calls for local measures to cushion fuel subsidy removal

The Alakoso of Epe Kingdom and community leader, Omodele Olatokunbo Ibrahim, has called for stronger local interventions to cushion the economic impact of the Federal Government’s fuel subsidy removal on residents.

Ibrahim made the call during a special prayer session at the Eid Praying Ground in Okebalogun, Epe, organised for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Dr Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat ahead of the forthcoming elections.

The gathering was attended by Grand Imams and Ulamas representing the five administrative divisions of Lagos State, as well as religious, political and community leaders.

Speaking at the event, Ibrahim said the removal of fuel subsidy had created significant short-term pressure on households, particularly through rising transportation and food costs.

He acknowledged that the policy was intended to contribute to economic recovery and stabilisation in the long term but said its immediate effects required practical responses at the community and local government levels.

“We need to work collectively as a people to reduce the pains resulting from the removal of fuel subsidy. We must all understand that we can help ourselves cushion the pains at the local government level,” he said.

The traditional leader proposed a subsidised fuel scheme for commercial transport operators and commuters through a partnership involving local governments and microfinance institutions.

Under the proposed scheme, commuters, commercial bus drivers and members of relevant transport unions would be registered and issued identification cards that would enable eligible beneficiaries to purchase fuel at subsidised rates.

“We can get a partnership with microfinance institutions and create a transportation registered scheme where we get the data of all commuters, bus drivers and members of the National Transport Unions and issue them a card to buy fuel at a subsidised rate,” Ibrahim said.

He argued that reducing the cost of transportation could help moderate the prices of food and other essential commodities, noting that transport costs form part of the expenses incurred in moving agricultural produce and other goods from production centres to markets.

Ibrahim described local government as a critical tier of government because of its proximity to residents and its ability to respond to challenges affecting their daily lives.

He consequently urged local government authorities, traditional institutions, transport unions, financial institutions and community leaders to work together on sustainable measures that could provide relief to residents while complementing the Federal Government’s broader economic reforms.

He stressed that addressing the hardship associated with fuel subsidy removal should be treated as a collective responsibility requiring sustained cooperation between government and communities.