In an exclusive interview with CHANNELS TELEVISION, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi revealed why President Bola Tinubu decided to remove fuel subsidy from day one of his administration. A
ccording to the Minister, the Presidency is aware of the sufferings of Nigerians but some decisions need to be made for a better Nigeria.
The Minister claimed that things would have been worse in Nigeria if the Government had not removed fuel subsidies.
Malagi noted that President Tinubu is seven months in office and he is there for a long-term plan. He noted that to solve Nigeria’s problem, seven months is a short time. Malagi stated that Nigerians are aware that to reset the economy, some difficult decisions need to be taken.
Part of his statement goes,
“I want you to remember that the President is seven months old in office. I am not going to make excuses that seven months is just a short time. But for a long-term plan, you need a lot more time to put structures in place. But, of course, as you trudge along, there will be shocks, turbulence, and occasional dislocations that you would find.”
He further added,
“So, it is important that Nigerians recognize that the President and his team would have to go back to reset that and that is why from day one, he said, ‘look, subsidy issue has to go’. He had to expect that there would be this pain, of course. He anticipated that Nigerians would encounter some difficulties but it would be worse if that subsidy did not go.”