By a mere presidential declaration, sans consultations with the National Assembly and other critical stakeholders, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday removed fuel subsidy.
The announcement was made in the course of his post inauguration speech at the Eagle Square in Abuja. By the announcement, Tinubu had foisted a fait accompli on the nation.
Tinubu stated that there was no provision for fuel subsidy in the budget he was inheriting from his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari.
The president stated that money being spent on subsidy would be channelled to other uses especially on education, health, and infrastructure.
“We commend the decision of the outgoing administration in phasing out the petrol subsidy regime which has increasingly favoured the rich more than the poor.
“Subsidy can no longer justify its ever-increasing costs in the wake of drying resources. We shall instead re-channel the funds into better investment in public infrastructure, education, health care and jobs that will materially improve the lives of millions,” he said.
Tinubu had served notice during his electioneering that he was going to remove fuel subsidy and that regardless of his commitment to fuel subsidy removal and how the people felt, he was going to win the presidential election.
Meanwhile, Tinubu’s announcement of fuel subsidy removal is general. The fine details are expected to be spelt out in the next one week, according to feelers reaching the newsroom of THE CONCLAVE.
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