…I understand Nigerians are suffering, but no childbirth without pain
…Bretton Woods, foreigners won’t solve our problems for us
…Forwards N500bn request to Reps, meets Class of 1999 Govs
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has asked the House of Representatives to alter the 2022 Supplementary Appropriation Act in order to make funds available for palliatives to cushion the effects of petrol subsidy removal.
In a letter addressed to Speaker of the House, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, and read at plenary, Wednesday, the president said the proposed amendment is intended to extract N500 billion from the 2022 supplementary budget to provide palliatives to cushion the effect of subsidy removal.
In the letter, Tinubu said: “I write to request for the amendment of the 2022 supplementary Appropriation Act.
“The request became necessary to provide necessary palliatives to mitigate the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy on Nigerians.
“Thus, the sum of N500 billion has been extracted from the 2022 supplementary appropriation act of N819.536 billion for the provisions of palliatives to cushion the effects of subsidy removal. I seek the expeditious consideration of this request.”
Explains modus operandi
Explaining the modus operandi of the palliatives, he said the framework for palliatives to remedy the effects of fuel subsidy removal was being worked out, explaining that the decision to phase out the subsidy was taken in the best interest of the country and would guarantee future prosperity.
President Tinubu also hinted that the full-proof social security structure that will not be compromised, especially in cash-transfer, would be adopted.
The president gave the assurance Wednesday when he received members of Class 1999 Governors who paid him a courtesy visit at the Presidential Villa.
About 18 of the former governors were present at the Council Chambers where the president met with them.
President Tinubu and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, also belong to the 1999 Class of Governors.
While appreciating his colleagues who served during the birth of the 4th Republic in 1999, Tinubu appealed for more patience from Nigerians, saying “the government would increase efforts to alleviate the pains of the subsidy removal and speed up the process.
He said the government would ensure a full-proof social security structure that will not be compromised, especially in cash-transfer.”
“I understand that our people are suffering, yet there can be no childbirth without pain. The joy of childbirth is the baby. Relief comes after the pain. Nigeria is being reborn. It is a rebirth of the country for the largest number, over a few smugglers.
“Please tell the people to be a little patient. The palliative is coming. I am doing the arithmetic. I don’t want the cash-transfer to fall into the wrong hands. I know it pinches and it is difficult. In the end, we will rejoice in the prosperity of our country,” he told the governors, who were led by former Edo state Governor Lucky Igbinedion.
National unity
Speaking on the importance of national unity and citizens’ cooperation to forge a stronger country that caters for the interests of all, the president said only Nigerians can build their country, adding that he’s irrevocably committed to serving the country.
“We must put the country in the right direction. No European, no Bretton Woods institution will do it for us,” he said.
The governors visited the president to congratulate him on the victory at the polls, his instructive and visionary decisions on the economy, and election as chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.
“We served as governors and sat in this Council Chamber. All I wanted was democracy and the salvation of the country. I never thought I was going to be here as president, but God Almighty has brought me here,” Tinubu stated.
The president assured the governors and Nigerians that he would work towards “unity, equity, stability, and prosperity of the country.”
“My commitment to that democratic value is unwavering. I am overwhelmed and honored by this large number present here. I have an open door policy. You are my advisers. We went into the pond and wrestled with the pig. We got dirty, and cleaned up. That is why I am here today,” he said.
The president said the country would not make meaningful progress without fixing electricity, assuring that his administration would harness gas resources and explore every opportunity to ensure stable power generation and supply.
Security
On security, the president who had earlier met with Borno state Governor Babagana Zulum to review situation in the North-east, appealed to Nigerians to sheath their swords and use dialogue in resolving conflicts, adding that issues of borders were man-made and not created by God.
“We will do everything possible to stabilize the country,” he said.
Former govs speak
The former governors urged the president to pursue his vision for a greater Nigeria with vigour, steadfastness, and resilience, expressing their support for development policies, and promising to provide the necessary social structure for actualization.
“We are here with you. We are your foot-soldiers, and you can tap into our experience. You are a person who believes in Nigeria. With your good leadership, Nigeria will take its place,” Igbinedion, leader of the Class of 1999 Governors said.
He affirmed that they were 20 at the meeting, including President Tinubu, who was former governor of Lagos state and Akume, former Benue state governor, while 10 of their members had passed on.
Other former governors in the club were Niyi Adebayo, Ekiti state, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia), Senator Sam Egwu (Ebonyi), Adamu Muazu (Bauchi), Donald Duke (Cross River), James Ibori (Delta), Obong Victor Attah (Akwa Ibom), Senator Chimaroke Nnamani (Enugu) and Saminu Turaki of Jigawa state.
The rest include Senator Aliero Adamu (Kebbi), Aremo Olusegun Osoba (Ogun), Adebisi Akande (Osun), Senator Joshua Dariye (Plateau), Attahiru Bafarawa (Sokoto), Ahmad Sani Yarima (Zamfara) and and Rev. Jolly Nyame of Taraba state.
