President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that Abia State is now reaping the benefits of his administration’s decision to remove fuel subsidy, as the policy is helping state governments execute important development projects.
The President made this known during a one-day official visit to Abia State on Friday, October 3, where he was represented by the Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi.
While commissioning key projects in the state — including the newly remodeled Dr. Michael Okpara Auditorium and completed road projects — Umahi said Tinubu’s fuel subsidy removal is already showing positive results across the country.
“The removal of the fuel subsidy is gaining momentum for projects, and we are beginning to see the benefits here in Abia State,” Umahi said. “The same progress is being experienced in other states across Nigeria.”
The minister added that the President is fully committed to supporting Governor Alex Otti in making sure Abia reaches its full development potential.
Tinubu ended Nigeria’s decades-old fuel subsidy regime during his inauguration speech on May 29, 2023, with the now-famous words, “Subsidy is gone.” The move marked a major shift in Nigeria’s economic policy and was intended to save the country billions of naira spent annually on petrol subsidies.
The decision was welcomed by some as a necessary step to stabilize the economy and reduce government spending. However, it also drew heavy criticism from many Nigerians who felt the government failed to put proper measures in place to cushion the hardship that followed.
Since then, the federal government has announced a number of palliatives, including support for transport, agriculture, and cash transfers to vulnerable groups. Many citizens, however, still complain about high transport fares and food prices.
Despite the mixed reactions, Tinubu’s administration has maintained that the policy is key to freeing up funds for meaningful projects at both federal and state levels.
