ECOWAS Charges FG To Address Fuel And Naira Scarcity Before Elections

Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS) Observer Mission to Nigeria has charged the Federal Government to be proactive in addressing the fuel and cash scarcity in the country before the election.

Gatekeepers News reports that ECOWAS added that the insecurity crisis in the country should also be resolved before the February 25 election.

The mission, led by former President of Sierra Leone, Ernest Bai Koroma, gave this charge during his visit to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, on Wednesday in Abuja.

Koroma said, “We have had some concerns on the availability of fuel. Its limitation will affect the movement of everybody, including INEC.

“Another concern is that of the scarcity of cash – the limited liquidity in the system. This has been a concern that has been raised by our observers and also the political parties that we have met.

“Now, in addition to these two general concerns, there are security issues that affect specific locations and regions.

“These are all issues that we will want the government to address as we are going into these all-important elections.”

In response, Onyeama disclosed that the scarcity of naira and fuel has been a huge challenge for the government.

He, however, noted that the government is currently taking measures to suppress the burden on Nigerians.

Onyeama said, “On the issue of cash availability and fuel – huge challenges. But I do understand that there are measures that are being taken in respect of fuel scarcity.

“Banks should be more readily available and the financial institutions will put the N200 notes in circulation.”

Ahead of the election, the Minister of Foreign Affairs enjoined politicians and their respective parties to be peaceful and order all through the election period.