Speaks on Food Inflation, Fuel Subsidy, Insecurity
- Safiu Kehinde
President Bola Tinubu has maintained his stance on maintaining the size cabinet members as he dismissed calls for its reduction.
Tinubu made this known during his first Media Chat on Monday at Ikoyi, Lagos.
The President expressed that every cabinet was was established based on need.
While citing the country’s population as part of the need for the cabinets, Tinubu charged Nigerians to pay attention to their efficiency and effectiveness rathe than the size.
“I’m not prepared to bring down the size of my cabinet. I saw the need when I put them together.
“Nigeria is a large country. If you are to entertain over 200 million, calculate how many stewards will be required.
“Let’s pay attention to efficiency and effectiveness. They are hallmarks of the cabinet. I am not ready to shrink them.” Tinubu said.
Speaking on calls for price control to cushion food inflation, Tinubu held that he does not believe in price control.
The economic variables, backed with constant supply will, according to him, generate regulation in food price.
“I don’t believe in price control. We will just continue to supply the market. It is just a matter of supply and demand. It will come to a stage where you will not be able to hold it anymore. The economic variables will work against you.” He said.
In the same vein, the President advocated for mechanized farming to boost food production.
He disclosed investing on over 2000 tractors which are set to arrive Nigeria as part of his plan to aid mechanized farming in the country.
NPO earlier reported that the President reinstated his stand on fuel subsidy, maintained that he had no regret over the decision.
He stated that the move was necessary.
“I don’t have any regret whatsoever removing subsidy, it is necessary.
“We can’t be subsidizing the entire West Africa sub region.
“Either we slice it in half or bits, we still have to completely remove it.” He said.
Speaking on insecurity and calls for the probe of Service Chiefs, Tinubu admonished Nigerians to commend the effort of the Armed Force, considering the welfare and difficult conditions under which they work.
“I’m not proving any Service Chief. You can’t disrespect the institution because of threat.
“Consider the welfare of our servicemen. They are living and operating on serious condition.
“We have huge forest and unoccupied places. Give them credit. They are trying. ” The president continued.