THE Presidency has given an insight into the circumstances that necessitated the current increments in the fuel price and electricity tariffs.
President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in a statement that subsidy removal in these sectors had long been foreseen by successive administrations as game changers in search of solutions to move forward with the nation’s development.
According to him, these are reforms that are necessary and overdue.
He said: ”To stop the mismanagement of taxpayers money, eliminate corruption associated with subsidies on petroleum products, power, fertilizer among others, the administration took the decision to implement long-delayed reforms, withdraw and allow the market to determine their prices.
”Blueprint upon blueprint, timeline upon timeline had come and gone but courage to take bold decisions was not there.
”Over the last few days, one claim acquiring a potent resonance with the online community, sections of the labour movement and the opposition is that the actions are ill-timed and ill-advised.
”There is nothing new in the fact that the country is today fighting multiple challenges along with COVID-19, including low earnings, near-collapse of the oil market, floods, threats of terrorism and banditry but the challenges notwithstanding, a good government must take decisions for the people’s good.
”As President, Muhammadu Buhari takes these difficult decisions, both popular and unpopular and as a leader because he is demonstrating the right courage to take such decisions as they become necessary in view of present circumstances.”
The presidential aide expressed the hope that history would remembered Buhari as the president who embarked on transformation of the nation economy for the general good of the citizens.
He stated that the ongoing reforms in the energy as well as oil and gas sectors would eliminate all the evils of corruption embedded in the sectors.
He, therefore, stressed the need for all well meaning individuals, civil society groups and labour movements to support the president’s bold initiatives to transform the economy for the betterment of all citizens.
”History will be kind to President Buhari because in addition to his amazing ability to command votes, he will be remembered as the President who made real contributions to economic and overall national development by eliminating the evils of corruption embedded in subsidies.
”In any democracy, the most important certificate in governance is acceptance by the people and, with the support of ordinary Nigerians, President Buhari has shown a rare determination to carry out the bold initiatives as these ones driven by nothing other than the greatest good for the greatest number of people.
”In carrying out the reforms, the President needs the support and understanding of all citizens, inclusive of the opposition parties, the labour movement and civil society groups,” he said.
