The federal government Monday said the 63rd independence celebration will be low-key because of the current economic situation in the country.
Addressing a world press conference at the National Press Centre in Abuja, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, said the theme of the anniversary is, “Nigeria @ 63, Renewed Hope for Unity & Prosperity.”
“As you are aware, the president has given his approval for this 63rd anniversary to be low-key in line with the present economic realities.
“This celebration is low key so we didn’t invite world leaders to celebrate with Nigeria. Time will come when we will invite world leaders to celebrate with Nigeria,” he said.
Akume while reeling out some of the steps taken by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to cushion the hardship occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy and to revive the economy reiterated that the subsidy regime was a scam.
He also said the government is engaging with labour in order to address areas of concern for the well-being of all Nigerian workers and Nigerians generally.
He said: “We have repeatedly said that the subsidy regime was a scam but the courage to confront it was always lacking until this government came to power.
“The government is fully aware of the economic challenges that Nigerians are confronted with since the removal of the fuel subsidy as well as the impact of the global economic downturn.
“The government is working assiduously to provide the necessary palliatives so as to mitigate such challenges and also the provision of buses to ease hardship on transportation among others.
“There is provision for support for auto makers to produce electric and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles and deemphasized the use of petrol.
“Don’t forget that states governments have also been empowered with 5 billion naira each as palliatives to cushion the hardship occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy. Grains were also distributed to the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to reduce the cost of grains in the market.”
Akume also applauded the tax policy and the appointment of a special investigator for the CBN by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, adding that his report will revealed what went wrong at the apex bank over the years.
