TheCable

A Coalition of Political and Civil Society groups have concluded plans to organise nationwide town hall meetings in the six geopolitical zones of the country to educate Nigerians on the fuel subsidy removal.

They said the misunderstanding and misinterpretation surrounding the policy is due to the lack of proper public communication mechanism to drive into the heart and mind of Nigerian on the importance and imperative of the policy.

The Coalition consisting of the Broom Platform, the Coalition of Concerned Youth Leaders for Good Governance, the Nigerian Diaspora for Asiwaju, the Asiwaju Fans Club and the APC NewsOnline, appealed to Nigerians to be patient with the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.

The group made the appeal Wednesday in Abuja during a media briefing on the benefits of the fuel subsidy removal.

Speaking on the expectations of the town hall meeting, Tom Ohikere, who is the team lead said it would give Nigerians the opportunity to ask questions rather than the Labour Unions taking the lead.

He said it was important at this stage of our nation building as one of the major flaws of successive governments is poor public engagement strategy.

Ohikere said, “I am very sure that if we engage the public most Nigerians will appreciate the benefits of the subsidy removal. Currently there seems to be distrust, suspicion and anxiety because they are not properly informed about the policy and benefits of the subsidy removal.

“The impending town hall meeting will enhance the visibility of Tinubu’s government, as any opportunity to connect directly with the government will be greatly appreciated by Nigerians. The town hall meetings will take place as scheduled: North Central in Abuja on the 3rd of October, Northeast (Maiduguri), on the 7th of October, Northwest (Kaduna) on the 10th, South South (Port Harcourt) on the 14th, Southeast (Owerri) on the 17th of October and Southwest (Lagos) on the 21st of October.”