… Says, It’s the only way Nigeria can move forward
Amos Tauna, Per Second News
Kaduna - As
a way of finding solution to the present fuel scarcity in the country,
former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu on Friday in
Kaduna urged President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately remove
the subsidy regime, saying it has over stayed its usefulness.
Tinubu,
who is also the National leader of the governing All Progressives
Congress (APC), said for the country to move forward, the subsidy
regime need to go since the ordinary Nigerians are no longer benefiting
from it.
Delivering a keynote address, entitled, "Towards the Economic Liberation of Nigeria, Bala Usman's Enduring Relevance” at the memorial Conference organized in honour of the Late Dr Bala Usman by the Centre for Democratic Development, Research and Training Zaria,
Tinubu said, his call for subsidy removal is not mere talk but a call to action by those in authority.
Delivering a keynote address, entitled, "Towards the Economic Liberation of Nigeria, Bala Usman's Enduring Relevance” at the memorial Conference organized in honour of the Late Dr Bala Usman by the Centre for Democratic Development, Research and Training Zaria,
Tinubu said, his call for subsidy removal is not mere talk but a call to action by those in authority.
According
to him; "In a perfect world, I wish we could sanitize the
subsidy regime and thus continue it. However, I have reached the
conclusion that there are too many demons in the system for that hell to
be turned into heaven.
"Better
that we remove it, not for the austere purpose of saving money but to
use the money more wisely that we might better save the people. Let us
begin a process of a thoughtful but decisive subsidy phase-out.
"While
this is occurring, we should simultaneously phase in social programmes
benefiting the poorest, most vulnerable among us. Programmes such as
transportation subsidies, school feeding, improved basic medical care
and coverage for the poor, and potable water projects are some of the
things that can be done with the same funds.
"What I
have said here is more than talk. It is a call to action. This way we
will undertake this massive expenditure confident that the fruits will
go to the hungry, not the already too well fed.
“End the
fuel subsidy. Subsidize the people instead. Fuel subsidy was a good
idea that has been perverted into its opposite. Created to aid the
common man, it is now a device used by the crooked to produce a windfall
for themselves."
Speaking
on the man in whose honour the conference was held, Tinubu said, Bala
Usman could have combined his royal lineage with his academic erudition
to enjoy the high and easy life, adding that he could have been part
of any government or ruling clique that suckled itself on toil, blood
and patience of the people.
He
further said; “Bala chose to side with the masses. Now it isour duty to
side with him." Earlier in his remarks, Governor Nasir El-Rufai of
Kaduna State extolled the late historian, saying Bala Usman cared
about the ordinary people and spent his life fighting for the common
man.
El-Rufai said; "He gave everything he had, his intellect, his resources to advance the life of the downtrodden in Nigeria. This is why we are very proud of him."
El-Rufai said; "He gave everything he had, his intellect, his resources to advance the life of the downtrodden in Nigeria. This is why we are very proud of him."
In
attendance at the event were Governors Akinwumi Ambode of Lagos State,
Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State, Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, Emir
of Kano Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, among others.
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