President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ultimately responded to the recent surge in petrol prices, stating that there is nothing that can be done to remedy the situation if the nation is to progress. It is worth noting that on Tuesday, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd. increased pump prices to N855 and N897 per litre, up from N617/l just a few days after the national oil company acknowledged its severe financial difficulties. Independent marketers have adjusted their prices to a range of N930 to N1,200/l.....CONTINUE READING THE ARTICLE FROM THE SOURCE
This situation has compelled transporters in major cities to raise fares by as much as 50 percent, and commuters, who are already grappling with economic challenges, are now either walking long distances to their workplaces or not showing up at all.
In response to this situation, while speaking to members of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organization in China (NIDO China) and the Nigerian community at the China World Hotel on Friday, Tinubu remarked that Nigeria is undergoing reforms, and therefore there is little that can be done to alleviate the hardships caused by the fuel price increase.
“Nigeria is going through reforms, and we are taking very bold and unprecedented decisions. For example, you might have been hearing from home in the last few days about fuel prices.
“But, can we help it? Can we develop good roads like you have here? You see electricity being constant in quantity and quality. You see water supply, constant and running, and you see their good schools. And we say we want to hand over a banner without stain to our children?
“What is the critical part to get us there if we cannot take hard decisions to pave the way for a country that is blessed and so talented?
“So many of you are so talented, speaking very fluent Mandarin. It is what you contribute and tell them at home that will reflect in the attitude of our people. The more you want everything free, it will become more expensive and long-delayed to achieve meaningful development,’’ the President said.
Tinubu added that; “We want our children to be in good schools, not tattered huts and dilapidated buildings. We must make our teaching innovative and allow businesses of all kinds and sizes to flourish.
“One economic action leads to another, and it is in your hand to build our nation. Mine is to provide the leadership, and I am committed to doing just that,” the President stated.
Tinubu noted that while it is not always easy for a leader to have a national consensus on issues, he is ready to take the hard decisions to move the nation forward.
