The new Senate President in Nigeria, Senator Godswill Akpabio has lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the fuel subsidy removal, condemning the former government for subsidising fuel used by the neighbouring countries.
Akpabio, who stated this today while presiding over the affairs of the red chamber said, “I want to plead with you distinguished senators to join me to offer commendations to the President and Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces for the bold steps he has so far taken, particularly, in the issue of fuel subsidy. If it requires legislative backing, we shall give it. We must begin to produce fuel in Nigeria. We must begin to encourage the production of diesel and others in this country. And of course, if the stories we have heard so far are true that we used to have 69 million barrels in a month and we are now having 13 or 15 million barrels, that will show we are subsidising all the consumption going on in our neighbouring countries, which we can no longer continue with our very limited resources. So, we applaud the Federal Government with such steps.”
The Senate president also vowed that the executive arm of the government would put the Executive on its toes, stressing that Senate’s oversight function would be taken seriously.
His words, “I do not believe in politically motivated infrastructure, therefore, the 10th Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will ensure very serious oversight function to make sure we do not waste the resources of the country. We will put members of the executive on their toes, particularly, the ministers, when they are ready to work. When they are appointed, we will follow project by project. We will do our best in terms of appropriation. We will not have any delay.”
