Ogun Gov. Dapo Abiodun has disclosed that the subsidy on fuel, if not curbed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, would have cost the country a whopping N5.4 trillion by the end of 2024.
Abiodun noted that it would have been disastrous for Nigeria to pay such a huge amount on fuel subsidies against the Federal Government’s budget of N6.7 trillion for the same fiscal year.
The Governor stated this during the Special Church Service commemorating the 64th National Day celebration held at the Cathedral Church of St. Peter, Ake, Abeokuta.
He said the money is now available to develop infrastructure across the country.
“The Federal Government, under the amiable leadership of our President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, wasted no time in embarking on some very bold and audacious initiatives aimed at repositioning our economy and saving us from bankruptcy. We must persevere.
“Mr. President removed the subsidy, which, if not curbed, would have cost us N5.4 trillion by the end of 2024. We have been busy subsidizing our neighbours; these are funds that can be invested in improving our infrastructure and other social services.
“Our budget this year for infrastructure was N6.7 trillion. Meanwhile, the subsidy would have consumed N5.4 trillion if not curbed or checked,” Abiodun explained.
While calling on Nigerians to engage the government constructively and not join those fanning the embers of discord, he said protests would not achieve anything other than looting and vandalism of public properties.
“Let us be resilient; let us 8continue to pray, let us persevere and let us hold on to our faith in Almighty God.
“Let us not join those who continue to fan the flames of discord in our land, and those who are calling for protests, violence, and civil disobedience, which only leads to vandalism, looting, and destruction of public property.
“Let us engage constructively and work with the government, knowing that this administration is inclusive one,” he added.
The Governor also disclosed that his administration would continue to implement measures to cushion the effects of the present realities, adding that his administration has deployed CNG buses, started energy transition programmes with the launch of e-bikes, reduced workdays for civil servants from five to three days, and provided free medical services for the poor and the elderly, among other initiatives.
He announced the completion of his administration’s farmers’ markets in all four zones of the state, as well as the impending launch of the state government’s Gateway Trading Company, which would sell food items at wholesale prices.
“We will soon complete our farmers’ markets across the four zones of the state, where food items will be sold at affordable prices.
“Very soon, you will see our Gateway Trading Company that will start selling different items in different zones across the four zones of the state at wholesale prices. We will continue these types of initiatives to cushion the effects of the current realities,” he said.
Earlier in his message titled “Leading Our Nation Forward in a Time Like This: Lessons from Elisha’s Leadership,” the Diocesan Bishop of Ijebu North Anglican Diocese, the Rt. Rev’d Dr. Akinwande Godwin Odubena, who also read from the book of 2 Kings, Chapter 7, Verse 1, noted that leadership plays a crucial role in the future of any country.
Odubena, who noted that Nigeria is currently dealing with hyper-inflation, problems of oil theft, vandalism, and an increase in unemployment that has given birth to internet fraud, insecurity, infrastructure challenges, kidnapping, and banditry, added that the citizens must be hopeful for a better Ogun State and Nigeria as a whole.
The Diocesan Bishop, while noting that it was important for the people and the leaders of Nigeria to trust in the plan of God, said that unity and prosperity must be prioritized.
While urging the country’s leaders to look into the current issues of hardship and hunger, Odubena stated that the country and its leaders must face their challenges head-on, persevere, and not allow anything to deter them from moving forward.
Odubena urged leaders in the country, state, local government areas, and homes to recommit themselves to God, appealing to the congregation and the people of the country to speak hope and not curse the nation and her leaders.
Odubena also charged everyone to embrace dialogue to address issues with the government and not to give room for protests and violence, stating that there was a need to exercise caution and move away from vandalizing public infrastructure in the name of protest.
The preacher urged parents and guardians to call their children and wards to order.
The only Bible reading of the service was read from the book of 2 Corinthians, Chapter 11, Verses 16-31, by Gov. Abiodun.
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