Odeli details how removal of fuel subsidy killed fishing economy, proffers solution

Public Affairs Analyst, David Odeli, has detailed how removal of fuel subsidy by the federal government, killed fishing economy, saying a small fishing boat now spends N30,000 to N50,000 on fuel to go to the sea for fishing, only to return without fishes commensurate to the transportation cost.

According to him, the frustration had made many of the fishers to park their fishing boats, because the pain of fuel subsidy removal, is felt twice in the creeks and coastal communities, where life is entirely dependent on water transportation, which uses fuel and diesel.

The point-blank public affairs commentator, who made the revelation in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri, Friday October 9, noted that while in the upland, a man can trek, ride a bicycle or take a cheap keke to work, there are no such alternatives in the riverine areas.

“From Koko to Ogheye, from Eghoro to Oboghoro, from Warri to Burutu and Forcados, from Warri to Ugborodo, Escravos, Oporoza and Kokodiagbene — every movement is by boat, and every boat runs on fuel. When fuel price moved from N185 to over N1,000, the transport fare in these communities moved from N1,500 to N8,000 per trip. The cost of living has become unbearable” Odeli, disclosed.

He called on the Delta State Government, to establish Delta State Coastal Water Transport Authority, with subsidized ferries on routes such as Koko to Ogheye, with terminal points in Eghoro Community,  Oboghoro Community and Ebrohimi community, serving all surrounding fishing settlements, Warri — Burutu — Forcados Corridor, Warri — Escravos Corridor, with terminal points in Oporoza and Kokodiagbene, and other Ijaw and Itsekiri communities around.

Odeli, also stressed the need for the Delta State Government to allow DESOPADEC sell fuel at a special intervention price in Burutu, Forcados, Ogheye and Oporoza as well as set up CNG Conversion for Marine Engines, with a view to extending the Presidential CNG programme to riverine boats.

He posited: “The people of the riverine communities of Delta State are going through what can best be described as the harshest impact of a necessary, but very harsh economic policy — the removal of fuel subsidy. While the pain is felt nationally, it is felt twice in the creeks and coastal communities where life is entirely dependent on water transportation which uses fuel and diesel.

“In the upland, a man can still trek, ride a bicycle or take a cheap keke to work. In the riverine areas, there are no such alternatives. From Koko to Ogheye, from Eghoro to Oboghoro, from Warri to Burutu and Forcados, from Warri to Ugborodo, Escravos, Oporoza and Kokodiagbene — every movement is by boat, and every boat runs on fuel. When fuel price moved from N185 to over N1,000, the transport fare in these communities moved from N1,500 to N8,000 per trip. The cost of living has become unbearable.

*The Forgotten Architecture of Ogbemudia*

“The Delta riverine people are not strangers to this kind of challenge, and government is not without a template to solve it. The State Government under the leadership of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori should urgently copy the transport policy on riverine and coastal communities of the former Governor of the defunct Bendel State, Dr. Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia.

“General Ogbemudia understood riverine transportation as a social service, not a commercial venture. His administration created a *modern water transport architecture* with state-owned ferries and boats running on subsidized fees to cushion the hardship of the people.

“We can recreate that today:

- *Koko Water Terminal:* Koko to Ogheye, with terminal points in Eghoro Community,  Oboghoro Community and Ebrohimi community, serving all surrounding fishing settlements.

- *Koko — Opuekeba Route:* A dedicated service for the market women and fishermen of Warri North.

- *Warri — Burutu — Forcados Corridor:* This is an exclusive commercial corridor in the state, which needs large, safe passenger boats.

- *Warri — Escravos Corridor:*  The busiest consist rated economic corridor in the state, which needs large safe passenger modern boats to Ugborodo, Escravos communities, with terminal points in Oporoza and Kokodiagbene, and other Ijaw and Itsekiri communities around.

“If the state government provides modern, safe, diesel-powered ferries and charges a subsidized fee — say 40% of the commercial rate — it will immediately crash transport costs, reduce cost of fish and farm produce coming to Warri markets, and restore life to dying coastal towns.

“*Beyond Transport: The Fishing Economy Has Collapsed*

Fuel subsidy removal did not only affect transport. It killed the fishing economy. A small fishing boat now spends N30,000 to N50,000 on fuel to go to sea. The catch, when they return, cannot even cover the cost of fuel. Many fishermen have parked their boats.

This is where the government must look back to the *Shehu Shagari Green Revolution Marine Agricultural Policy of 1983*. That policy did not just talk about farming; it invested in modern fishing trawlers, outboard engines, cold rooms, and cooperatives for coastal communities.

Subsidy removal must translate into better life for the people. We cannot remove subsidy and leave the people to their fate.

“*What the Government Should Do Now:*

1.  *Establish Delta State Coastal Water Transport Authority* — similar to Lagos LAGFERRY — with subsidized ferries on the routes listed above.

2.  *Provide Modern Fishing Trawlers and Subsidized Outboard Engines* on soft loans to fishermen cooperatives, as Shagari did.

3.  *Create Coastal Fuel Depots:* Allow DESOPADEC to sell fuel at a special intervention price in Burutu, Forcados, Ogheye and Oporoza.

4.  *CNG Conversion for Marine Engines:* Extend the Presidential CNG programme to riverine boats. It is cheaper and sustainable.

“The people of the riverine communities contribute over 70% of Delta State's oil wealth. They should not be made to pay the highest price for a reform that is meant to save the nation.

“The hardship is real. The solution is known. The government only needs to act — urgently.”

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