End Subsidy Now, Tinubu Tells Buhari
End Subsidy Now, Tinubu Tells Buhari
By ALEX UANGBAOJE
National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu, has advocate the immediate removal of subsidy from the oil sector of the economy.
Tinubu said subsidy that was created to aid the common man, is now a device used by the crooked to produce a windfall for which they are not entitled to.
He made this submission yesterday in Kaduna during the 10th Anniversary Memorial Seminar of Dr. Yusuf Bala Usman organized by Centre for Democratic Development and Research, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria in a lecture titled “Towards the Economic Liberation of Nigeria”.
According to him, ”I am one of those enjoying or benefiting from the cheap pump price per litre, but I don’t need it. I rather pay for the availability and let the needy benefit more from higher pump price.
”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 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. Better spend the money to save the people instead of expend the people to save money.
“I would choose to remove the subsidy and use the money to help people, let us feed our school children, with our local produce, promote agriculture, create jobs and start erecting a social safety net for the vulnerable among us in true need.
“Let us begin a process of a thoughtful but decisive subsidy phase-out. While this is occurring, we should simultaneously phase in social programs benefiting the poorest, most vulnerable among us.
“Programs 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.
This way we can 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 – Subsidize the people instead!”
He however called on Nigerians to emulate Bala Usman by shirking the conventional wisdom to reform the political economy, if the nation must move forward.
Earlier in his welcome address, Malam Nasir El-Rufai extolled the late historian, saying “he cared about ordinary people and spent his life fighting for the common man.
”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.”
Four governors under the platform of APC were in attendance, they are Kaduna, Katsina, Lagos and State of Osun.
