INTERROGATING SUBSIDY REMOVAL (SR) AS A THREAT TO HUMAN SECURITY IN BAYELSA STATE: A FOCUS ON THE YENAGOA METROPOLIS

This study sought to investigate the impact of subsidy removal (SR) on human security in Bayelsa State. Advocates of SR contend that eliminating the fuel subsidy will result in the reallocation of government resources from subsidy payments to essential sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare, education, and agriculture. They argue that this shift will foster economic diversification, stimulate long-term growth, promote energy efficiency, and encourage investment in alternative energy sources, among other benefits. Conversely, critics of SR argue that the government’s decision has led to an increase in the cost of premium motor spirit, which in turn has triggered negative consequences, including a rise in the prices of goods and services, soaring inflation, heightened poverty levels for low-income earners and those at the bottom of the social ladder, a surge in crime rates, an escalation in fuel smuggling, and job losses in the informal sector, among other issues. By employing discourse analysis and using the resource curse theory supported by the human security framework as the analytical framework, the paper recommends that the management of funds generated from the removal of the fuel subsidy should be marked by transparency, accountability, and prudence. This approach will ensure that the funds are effectively utilized to drive development in critical sectors, ultimately addressing poverty and mitigating the threats SR poses to human security in Bayelsa State amongst others.