By Chuks Ehirim
Assistant Editor, North
Traditional rulers from across the nation met in Abuja at the weekend and urged fuel marketers to stop taking actions that could jeopardise government’s efforts in making life easier for the populace.
A communique issued by the Association of Royal Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (ARTRN) “frowned at the recurring incident of fuel scarcity” and expressed confidence in the ability of President Muhammadu Buhari to handle the Petroleum Ministry.
It cited an “avalanche of fraud and mismanagement in the ministry over the years” but urged the public not to panic over fuel scarcity.
ARTRN commended Buhari on the calibre of people he appointed ministers, saying they are “men and women of great repute who will serve selflessly and reposition the country for speedy recovery in their various areas of assignment.”
However, it noted that making Babatunde Fashola to preside over three large ministries compressed into Works, Power and Housing Ministry “is yet to go down well with Nigerians of all shades of opinion.
“We hope that the oversize nature of Fashola’s responsibility will not be counter productive and contrary to the expectations of Nigerians in those sensitive areas?”
ARTRN also urged Buhari to fulfil his campaign promise of paying N5,000 monthly to every unemployed youth and aged person as social welfare to “reduce crimes, give the beneficiaries greater sense of belonging and curb excessive social ills.”