Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State Commends President Bola Tinubu’s Efforts to Sanitize the Oil Sector
Calabar, June 22, 2023 – Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has praised President Bola Tinubu’s initiatives to cleanse Nigeria’s oil sector since assuming office approximately a month ago.
During a statement delivered from his office in Calabar, Governor Otu highlighted Tinubu’s recognition of the need to sanitize the oil sector and his decision to remove fuel subsidies. The governor expressed confidence that Nigerians would ultimately witness the long-term benefits of subsidy removal.
Governor Otu revealed that he had been advocating for the elimination of fuel subsidies since 2003 due to the creation of numerous “briefcase millionaires” who profited without putting in any substantial effort. These individuals, according to Otu, have been able to amass wealth while comfortably sitting at home.
The governor emphasized the importance of coordination among states in order to ensure that any palliative measures implemented would effectively mitigate the suffering of the people. He stated, “I know that each state has its own peculiarity, which is why we need to synergize so that whatever palliatives are put in place will be such that will mitigate and ameliorate the sufferings of the people.”
Governor Otu also addressed the topic of salary increments, expressing concern about the potential impact of such raises in light of the rampant inflation in the country. He questioned the value that salary increments would have in an economy where the prices of goods and services have already skyrocketed due to the fuel hike resulting from subsidy removal. The governor stressed the importance of developing a comprehensive system that would benefit the entire citizenry, not just civil servants, as everyone is affected by the current situation.
While acknowledging the socio-economic challenges being faced, Governor Otu urged the people to endure the present difficulties, assuring them that the government was actively devising strategies to mitigate the situation. He stated, “We have to endure this pain for us to correct the error as well as build a sustainable economy for posterity.”
Governor Otu’s commendation of President Tinubu’s efforts reflects the ongoing commitment to address issues within the oil sector and alleviate the economic challenges faced by the Nigerian population.
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