Information minister Mohammed Idris says President Bola Tinubu is committed to ameliorating the pains of Nigerians caused by the petrol subsidy removal in the shortest time possible. According to him, Mr Tinubu is working tirelessly day and night to revamp Nigeria.

Mr Idris stated this when he received Governor Mohammed Bago, who paid him a courtesy visit on Tuesday in Abuja.

The minister said Mr Tinubu was aware of the hardships of Nigerians and was working day and night to address the negative effects of his policies.

“We know that times are hard. Mr President has acknowledged that. He has said that he is aware that Nigerians are also experiencing some hardship arising from, first the removal of the fuel subsidy and the downturn of the economy. But you will agree with me that the fuel subsidy that was removed is actually in the best interest of Nigeria,” stated Mr Idris.

The minister added, “He has said repeatedly that the pain of the fuel subsidy removal will be felt temporarily before the positive side of it will begin to be seen. Your excellency, I am sure the tiers of government, especially at the states, have begun to see that within a short time.”

The minister said plenty of money had been saved from the removal of subsidy, part of which had already been sent to states as palliative.

Mr Idris said assorted grains had been sent to states, including N5 billion each, and about N2 billion by FCT in the first instance.

“Mr President is aware that that is not enough but only the first necessary step he has to take to ensure that the pains occasioned by fuel subsidy removal will be cushioned. Mr President has told us to inform Nigerians that more are coming their way,” said the minister. “He is working day and night tirelessly with his council of advisory body, the ministers, to ensure that every hardship Nigerians is facing today will be turned around in the shortest possible time.”

The minister added that Tinubu was desirous of restoring the image of Nigeria in the international community.

“Yesterday the president had the first meeting with the newly constituted Federal Executive Council (FEC). In that meeting he gave some marching orders to the new ministers to ensure that the eight priority areas of this administration, first are known and then begin to be felt by Nigerians,” Mr Idris explained. “Mr President, at the yesterday FEC meeting, also told the ministers that there is no time to waste and that every sector of this country, every department, every facet of lives of Nigerians, should have a new lease.”

(NAN)