President Bola Tinubu has broken his silence on the rise in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as fuel.
Tinubu, who spoke to Nigerians living in China on Friday, said the petrol price increase and other measures implemented by his administration are part of a larger strategy to put Nigeria on track for economic progress.
“Nigeria is going through reforms, and we are taking very bold and unprecedented decisions. For example, you might have been hearing from home in the last few days about fuel prices,” presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, quoted Tinubu as saying.
“What is the critical part to get us there if we cannot take hard decisions to pave the way for a country that is blessed and so talented?
“The more you want everything free, it will become more expensive and long-delayed to achieve meaningful development.”
On Tuesday, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) increased the pump price of fuel to N855 across its retail outlets, causing long lines at filling stations.
Many Nigerians and groups condemned the situation and urged the Federal Government to rethink its decision.
It comes in the midst of a fuel shortage and increased inflation, which has added to Nigerians’ hardship.
Tinubu defended the decision at the Beijing summit, claiming that difficult decisions are necessary for economic growth.
“But, can we help it? Can we develop good roads like you have here? You see electricity being constant in quantity and quality. You see water supply, constant and running, and you see their good schools. And we say we want to hand over a banner without stain to our children?
“So many of you are so talented, speaking very fluent Mandarin. It is what you contribute and tell them at home that will reflect in the attitude of our people.”
The President stated that though it is not always easy to have a national consensus on issues, he is ready to take the hard decisions to move the nation forward.
Tinubu added that he is committed to replicating China’s infrastructure in Nigeria.
“One economic action leads to another, and it is in your hand to build our nation. Mine is to provide the leadership, and I am committed to doing just that. We are focused, and I have a very good team,” he added.
