President Bola Tinubu today, explained to Nigeria’s first class traditional rulers, the reason why he removed the fuel subsidy immediately after his government assumed power.
Tinubu told the nation during his inauguration speech on May 29, that fuel subsidy is gone. The announcement sparked mixed reactions from Nigerians.
Speaking on Friday June 9, when he played host to traditional rulers under the aegis of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN), President Tinubu explained that the fuel subsidy regime had become unsustainable as it was being used to feed smugglers and make the country a Father Christmas to neighbouring countries.
He added that fuel subsidy had become an Elephant which was going to bring the country to its knees if it was not removed.
The President’s submission was contained in a statement by the State House Director of Information, Abiodun Oladunjoye.
“I am grateful you are paying attention to what I have been doing. You have paid attention to the subsidy removal. Why should we, in good heart and sense, feed smugglers and be Father Christmas to neighbouring countries, even though they say not every day is Christmas?
“The elephant that was going to bring Nigeria to its knees is the subsidy. A country that cannot pay salaries, and we say we have the potential to encourage ourselves. I think we did the right thing,” he said.
While acknowledging concerns about the need for critical infrastructure in different parts of the country, President Tinubu pledged that any roadblock in the way of the progress of the Nigerian people would be removed by his government.
“The lamentations about the capital projects—where will the money come from if we don’t protect our resources and boundaries? You cannot have development without capital projects,” he added.
President Tinubu also according to the statement, assured the traditional rulers of an open-door policy and his readiness to accept ideas and suggestions on how to move the country forward.
“We are all ears. We are ready to listen at any given time. I promise you an open-door policy; that is how I will go. That open-door policy is for you to call me and send me any concerns you might have at any time.
We may not have it right 100% of the time, but we must get it right 90% of the time for this country,” he said.
Responding to issues raised by the traditional rulers on challenges facing the country, the President assured them, saying, “worry not because the country is in good hands.”
He added that his administration is very conscious of the expectations of Nigerians and urged the traditional rulers to persuade the people on the good intentions of his government, assuring that fuel prices would still come down.