25th December, 2023
By Ismail Abdulaziz
Abia governor Alex Otti said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been very courageous over the actions he has taken since he assumed office on 29, May, 2003.
Otti who spoke to journalists on Sunday after paying a Christmas homage to Tinubu in Lagos specifically cited the removal of fuel subsidy and unification of foreign exchange as steps taken by the President that were courageous.
He noted that before it was removed by the President, fuel subsidy had become a scam and costing the nation a lot of money.
The Abia State Governor however appealed to Nigerians to exercise patience over the challenges being experienced as a result of the economic policies and reforms of the President while expressing optimism that positive changes are on the horizon.
Otti noted that President Tinubu inherited a challenging economic landscape characterised by surging inflation, a substantial debt profile and high unemployment when he assumed office
“Tinubu came in at a difficult time when inflation was close to 30 per cent, the national debt almost $40 billion, and unemployment close to 33.3 per cent.
“The President has been very courageous, unifying the exchange rate and removing fuel subsidy which had become a scam and costing the nation a lot of money,” Otti said.
The governor said that the positive aspects of these policies would soon transform into the reduction of poverty among the over 60 per cent of the population.
“Those policies are good but they come with their negative sides. They come with challenges for an economy where over 60 per cent of the population are living below the poverty line.
“So, it’s not going to be easy immediately but I believe that if we are patient and if we go through the policies without compromising, over time, things will turn around,” he said.
Otti also commended Tinubu for authorising the commencement of reconstruction work on the failed portion of the Port Harcourt – Enugu Expressway.
He reported progress in the reconstruction work and expressed confidence that the road would soon be opened for road users, significantly reducing travel time from Port Harcourt to Aba.
“Our partnership with the Federal Government to bring development to the people is at different levels, including through the National Economic Council and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.
“After elections, politics takes the back seat, and governance takes pre-eminence. All we are doing is for the interest of Nigerians, and the federal government is also supporting us.” (NAN)