Why we had to remove fuel subsidy, by Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu has insisted that his administration’s decision to remove the petrol subsidy was very necessary to
satisfy the immediate and future needs of the country.
Tinubu announced the removal of subsidy on petrol the day he was inaugurated into office.
But the action forced up prices of commodities with some of his critics condemning the policy as not well thought out.
But speaking during a town hall meeting with the people of Enugu State after he inaugurated some of the projects built by Governor Peter Mbah, Tinubu insisted that the policy was necessary to stop the nation from going bankrupt.
He said: “We must build this house called Nigeria to not just satisfy our immediate need, but our tomorrow too.
“That’s why the removal of the fuel subsidy was necessary. We cannot spend the future of generation yet unborn in advance. Don’t bankrupt the nation before they’re born”.
The President, who hailed Governor Mbah for his governance and development, particularly the technological advancement of Enugu State, said the Governor had demonstrated that irrevocable commitment towards human development.
Tinubu said: “He(Mbah) is doing a fantastic job, I am glad that Enugu got a very good job tomorrow, today. I salute Peter Mbah for his commitment to development.
“You have built up a good team and I have reviewed a number of things with you in Abuja. You have encouraged me on the technological advancement of the state. The commitment you have from the private sector. I know your background”.
The President, who noted his administration was in to develop every part of the country because election was over, said, “I don’t care which party you come from. You are my friend. You are doing well and very focused.
“I am very proud of Nigeria. Mbah is proud of Nigeria. He is doing everything possible to provide security, attracting foreign investors, and other investors locally. There’s no better investment than the investment to secure lives. I saw those cars, the Distress Response Squad. It is the way to go”
He charged the people of Enugu State to continue to cooperate and collaborate with Mbah, who is their son, brother and friend because he “is really committed to push the development of Enugu State and be a good symbol of southeastern states”.
Mbah, who welcomed the President and commended him for signing the South East Development Commission bill into law, expressed delight that besides fostering infrastructural revamp and tackling peculiar ecological challenges in the South East, the Commission will also complement the many development strides unfolding across Enugu State.
He informed Tinubu that his administration’s goals of growing Enugu State from the $4.4bn economy that it was on his accession to office, to a $30bn economy in the next four to eight years, as well as making Enugu State one of Nigeria’s top three states in GDP terms, were the reasons he took the decision to stop an illegal sit-at-home order imposed across the Southeast by a criminal gang, which almost literally held the public hostage.
