According to President Bola Tinubu, Nigeria cannot continue to act as Santa Claus to its neighbors by providing subsidies for premium motor spirit (PMS), often known as gasoline.
This was said by Tinubu on Friday at an Aso Rock meeting with the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN).
The President stated that by eliminating the gasoline subsidy, his government made the right choice.
Due to the nation’s difficulty in making payroll, he compared the subsidies to an elephant that may have brought it to its knees.
He said Nigeria should not be Father Christmas to neighbouring countries by providing them subsidised petrol.
Tinubu said, “I am grateful that you are paying attention to what I have been doing,” Abiodun Oladunjoye, the villa’s director of information, quoted the president as saying.
“You have paid attention to the subsidy removal. Why should we in good heart and sense, feed smugglers and be Father Christmas to neighbouring countries, even though they say not everyday is Christmas?
“The elephant that was going to bring Nigeria to its knees is the subsidy. A country that cannot pay salaries and we say we have potential to encourage ourselves.
“I think we did the right thing.”
The President, however, said his administration would listen to counsel.
He said, “We are all ears. We are ready to listen at any given time. I promise you an open-door policy and that is the way I will go. That open-door policy is for you to call me and send to me at any given time any concern that you might have.
“We may not have it right 100 percent of the time but we must get it right 90 percent of the time for this country.”
Also speaking at the meeting, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Saad Abubakar, said the traditional rulers are in full support of Tinubu’s administration.
He said, “We are 100 percent in support of your government and we believe in the will of the Almighty Allah you will move this country forward.”