FUEL SUBSIDY : Gov.Okorocha holds meeting with commercial transport operators

Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, insists that the people of Imo state would strengthen their doggedness and entrepreneurship to survive the pains of the hike in fuel price occasioned by the fuel subsidy removal.

He said this while addressing commercial transport operators, bus and taxi drivers at the Hero’s Square, New Owerri.

The Imo State governor noted that the hike in petroleum price by the federal government is necessary for the proper management of the nation’s resources.

He informed them that following the penchant of some unscrupulous Nigerians for fraud, the subsidized fuel had over the years been smuggled to neighbouring countries leading to the under-utilization of the nation’s refineries.

Owelle Okorocha stressed that with the removal of subsidy; investors would establish refineries, create jobs and utilize the abundant gas deposits in Imo State for the good of the people.

Governor Okorocha used the opportunity to call on Imo citizens to remain calm even on the face of provocations by the Boko Haram sects in the Northern part of the country adding that government in Imo will guarantee the  safety of lives and property in the state.

“Vengeance belongs to God.  Boko Haram is a group of people who do not want peace.  Hausa are not attacking Igbos.  Don’t attack any Hausa” he said.

He also asked his audience to join him in thanking God over the mere absence of kidnapping in the state during the festival season and enjoined the people to help in eradicating the menace.

The governor also told the commercial transporters to join the state government in according the late Igbo leader, Dim Odimegwu Ojukwu, a befitting burial in February this year.

Mr Chikeremba Gregory, Chairman, Drivers Welfare Union, Imo State, in a brief speech called on the state government to create spacious parks, consolidate the dues they pay and dissuade security operatives from harassing and extorting money from commercial transporters in the state.

Modestus Okafor
For SSA Media to the Governor