
Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, says “(Fuel) Subsidy is organised crime”, insisting that the government is behind oil theft in the country.
Obi, who said this while answering questions from panellists as guest speaker at the Private Sector Economic Forum of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Monday, added “I have allergies to waste,” as he reacted to a question on the issue of cost of governance.
The former governor of Anambra Stated claimed that no one can steal oil except the government.
He said, “Subsidy is organised crime.
“We need an aggressive production of local refining.
“Make resources available to ensure a private-sector led oil refining,” the former Anambra State governor advised the Federal Government.
According to him, there is a need for an overhaul of the security architecture in the country, advocating multi-level policing from the federal to the community security system.
The LCCI, which has organised the event for the past 16 years, said it is interested in the economic agenda of each of the candidates aspiring to be president in 2023.
Oil theft, debt burden, subsidy regime, foreign exchange, and other economic issues were core areas the forum expected each of the candidates to address.