President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has again defended removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, by his administration, describing it as “necessary” and essential for the country’s long-term development.
The President said this during a state visit to Enugu on Saturday.
While explaining at a stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House in Enugu, Tinubu said, “You are all a member of one big, huge family called Nigeria, but living in different rooms in the same house. This house, we must build it. Build it to satisfy our immediate needs, which will not be enough yet, but also to ensure a better tomorrow.
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“That is why the removal of the first subsidy was necessary,” he continued. “You cannot spend the future of generations yet unborn in advance. Don’t bankrupt the nation before they are born. I know people will fight, grumble, abuse me, and everything, but I asked for the job. I know what it takes. I believe in myself, and I believe I can gather a very good team and build a nation.”
The president also urged Nigerians to unite in building a proud nation and refrain from spreading negative comments about the country.
“It is our country. We have to work really hard for it, to build a nation that we can be proud of. Change the narrative; negative comments about Nigeria? I’m not taking that! I’m very proud of Nigeria. You all should be proud of Nigeria,” he declared.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu, during his visit, commissioned key state projects, including the Enugu International Conference Centre and a high-tech command and control center equipped with AI surveillance cameras and 150 patrol vehicles at the Government House.
Recall that the President, while giving his inaugural speech in May 2023, announced an end to the era subsidy payment on petroleum products, resulting in a significant hike in fuel prices.
While the move sparked protests and widespread criticism, with many claiming it had caused severe hardships for Nigerians, Tinubu has never ceased to defend his decision on petrol subsidy removal. The most recent was during his maiden presidential media chat with selected journalists at Ikoyi Lagos State in December 2024.
NIGERIAN TRIBUNE