Following public outrage over the hike in fuel pump price, the Presidency last night came to the defence of President Muhammadu Buhari over the removal of petroleum subsidy, that led to the increase in the petroleum pump price, saying that though it had long been seen as the right thing to do, previous administrations lacked the courage to take the action.
The Presidency said President Buhari had to take the difficult decisions, both popular and unpopular, stressing that as a leader, he was demonstrating the right courage to take such decisions as they become necessary in view of present circumstances
This was contained in a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu in Abuja.
The statement noted that subsidy removal had long been seen as a game-changer by successive administrations but the courage to implement the reforms was lacking.
According to the statement,
In the bid to stop the mismanagement of taxpayer 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.
Even though the online community, sections of the labour movement and the opposition claim that the actions are ill-timed and ill-advised, the presidency said that 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 andy banditry but the challenges notwithstanding, a good government must take decisions for the people’s good.
The presidency reiterated that 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.
It will be recalled that in April, The NNPC GMD Mallam Mele Kyari had alluded to the possibility of fuel subsidy removal , raising optimism that Nigeria was going to ditch long standing government policy of spending trillions of naira subsidising petrol.
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