By Kamil Opeyemi
Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday told his citizens that he is aware of the many pains brought upon them by the inevitability of his government economic reforms.
The president, who is two months old in office, said he came into office to help solve the years of economic complexities promising not to deviate from his promises when seeing election.
Speaking during his national address to citizens on Monday, Tinubu, who radiated confidence, said there are no other ways out of the economic situation other than to be ready to endure it.
“Our economy is going through a tough patch and you are being hurt by it,” he said adding that the cost of fuel has gone up.
“Food and other prices have followed it. Households and businesses struggle. Things seem anxious and uncertain. I understand the hardship you face. I wish there were other ways. But there is not. If there were, I would have taken that route as I came here to help not hurt the people and nation that I love.
“What I can offer in the immediate is to reduce the burden our current economic situation has imposed on all of us, most especially on businesses, the working class and the most vulnerable among us.He however promised that at the end of the period of darkness shall come time to rejoice.
He said, “We will get out of this turbulence. And, due to the measures we have taken, Nigeria will be better equipped and able to take advantage of the future that awaits her.”
He said part of the measures being worked out is to ease public transport system which would make people spend less.
He said “Part of our programme is to roll out buses across the states and local governments for mass transit at a much more affordable rate. We have made provision to invest N100 billion between now and March 2024 to acquire 3000 units of 20-seater CNG-fuelled buses.”