"Removing the subsidy was the correct decision, it should have been carried out more than a decade ago, according to Otti."

Subsidy removal was the right call and should have been implemented over a decade ago," expressed Alex Otti. He emphasized that the lack of investment in local refining has led to significant economic repercussions, such as job losses and hindrance of related industries' growth.

Otti pointed out that if this action had been taken earlier, the nation would have been on a more sustainable path towards national development. He also mentioned that the old fuel subsidy system primarily benefited affluent businessmen who could afford fuel in importation.

He highlighted how this system encouraged various forms of corruption due to the lack of effective monitoring and reporting mechanisms, along with deliberate manipulation by connected individuals and dishonest officials. This, he argued, ultimately led to the poor, who were originally intended beneficiaries, subsidizing the lavish lifestyles of the wealthy and influential.

Otti noted that while it's challenging to gain unanimous agreement on policy proposals, clear and sincere communication through various channels is crucial. He believed that better communication could have been employed to help the public understand the rationale behind subsidy removal and to garner genuine public support.

He also raised concerns about the impact of subsidy removal on citizens, citing examples of countries like Angola and Senegal that strategically retained subsidies on essential products for the poor. Otti called for the immediate implementation of robust policies to address rising poverty and unemployment caused by the subsidy removal.