Hardship: Tinubu Didn’t Come Into Office to Cause Difficulties – FG Begs Nigerians

Posted by Thandiubani on Wed 07th Aug, 2024 - tori.ng

He said the President is determined to correct many of the poor policies and dysfunctional choices that have held the nation back for decades.

The Federal Government has said it is not the plan of the President to subject Nigerians to hardship.

The claim was made by Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris while addressing members of the diplomatic community.

He said the President has come to office with bold solutions to historical problems.

He said the President is determined to correct many of the poor policies and dysfunctional choices that have held the nation back for decades.

“It is important to kick off on this note: that President Tinubu did not come to office to cause hardship or make life difficult for Nigerians.

“He has come to office with bold solutions to historical problems; with the determination to correct many of the poor policies and dysfunctional choices that have held us back as a nation for decades.

“The President assumed office during one of Nigeria’s most challenging periods in its history, where the country was spending 97% of all its revenue on debt service; coupled with widespread poverty, rising unemployment, dilapidated infrastructure, and insecurity.

“Faced with these daunting realities, the administration took decisive action and implemented long-overdue reforms to save the economy from collapse.

“For decades, the costly, wasteful and unsustainable fuel subsidy regime had denied Nigeria the opportunity to invest in critical infrastructure, social service, and the welfare of its citizens.

“The President, therefore, had to take a very painful decision to abolish the fuel subsidy and redirect the funds towards critical sectors such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, and security, which directly impact citizens’ well-being and the development of the country,” he said.

The minister added, “The President was not under any illusion that the withdrawal of fuel subsidy and the harmonization of foreign exchange rates would not come with some transitional pains.

“This informed the decision of the Federal Government to design comprehensive intervention programmes to cushion the transitional pains.

“We have been very determined about ensuring that these interventions are fully implemented, and bring the intended relief to Nigerians.”