The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) George Akume is assuring Nigerians of the government’s plans to ease the pains of the hike in the price of petrol.
Since the removal of the petrol subsidy, there has been a hike in the price of the commodity. Earlier sold for about N190 per litre, the price has gone up to between N600 and N700 since President Bola Tinubu pronounced that “subsidy is gone”.
The development has triggered a backlash but Akume says the government is not oblivious of these concerns.
“As our team takes shape, I want to remind you all that @officialABAT came prepared- he came with a plan. He knows what to do & he is doing it. He has nurtured this vision for decades and he is now bringing it to life,” he tweeted Sunday.
“As a government, we have heard your cries about fuel price increases, and be rest assured, we are working round the clock to normalize & bring solutions that ease the pain. Our job is to give you the quality of life you deserve when you wake up. So far, we are on course,” he added.
While describing the subsidy regime as “regressive,” he said the country needed to end it.
“For this regressive subsidy regime just ended, know that annual subsidy payments due to inefficiencies in the oil and gas value chain stood at a colossal $11b. It was not sustainable, and someone had to act. The President was decisive in doing so & he told us from day one,” he said.
He, however, urged Nigerians to be patient as “we are already working out modalities to ensure market forces normalize pricing while we drive policies that better your lives & boost your earning power. We have a clear economic restoration plan, so I urge you to trust the process”.