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President Bola Tinubu on Friday explained why he removed fuel subsidy on his inaugural speech on May 29, 2023.
TINUBU described fuel subsidy as a “scam” and disincentive to growth, saying it rewarded smugglers and reduced the burden of the “real cost” of the commodity for some countries.
Tinubu made the assertion during a meeting with members of the Nigerian community in France, said a statement by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communication and Strategy, Dele Alake, later that day.
Addressing Nigerians in France, Tinubu explained that the Special Adviser on Monetary Policy, Wale Edun and Alake had excluded fuel subsidy removal from his inaugural speech, “but he felt it was expedient to stop the subsidy on the first day”.
This marked the first time the President would publicly comment on his May 29 inaugural speech, in which he declared that “fuel subsidy is gone”.
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The comment sparked a near-instant hike in prices and hoarding, leading to calls for protests by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). This is despite former President Muhammadu Buhari’s early moves to end the payment of fuel subsidy by June.
The President promised to reposition the education and health sectors, adding that ongoing reforms on the economy would be sustained and expanded, with a view to relieving families struggling with the burden of poverty and insecurity.
The remarks come 11 days after the President signed the Students Loan Bill into law.
See the full statement below:
STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
DIASPORA NIGERIANS POUR ENCOMIUMS ON PRESIDENT TINUBU FOR DECISIVE ACTION ON ECONOMY, PRESIDENT PROMISES TURN AROUND IN EDUCATION, HEALTH, SPORTS, SECURITY,
ENERGY
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Friday in Paris–France assured Nigerians of repositioning the education and health sectors, while the ongoing reforms on the economy will be sustained and expanded, with a view to relieving families struggling with the burden of poverty and insecurity.
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In an interactive session with members of Nigerian community living in France, who lauded President Tinubu for taking bold, decisive and visionary steps in fixing the economy, the Nigerian leader said more creative and innovate policies will be explored and implemented in areas that directly impact livelihood of Nigerians, like electricity sports and energy.
“To all of you, our hope renewed,’’ he said, welcoming plethora of suggestions going forward for the economy, and explaining some of the short-term and long-term framework for providing growth opportunities for individuals, families and institutions.
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