Nasiru el-Rufai, the immediate past governor of Kaduna State, reiterated yesterday that the Federal Government has been heavily subsidizing petrol, also known as Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), to the tune of trillions of naira since its inception.
Under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, el-Rufai disclosed that approximately N8 trillion has been expended on petrol subsidies since May 29th, 2023, until the present time.
He argued that without these subsidy payments, the price of petrol would have soared even higher, surpassing the cost of diesel, which currently hovers above N1,000 per litre in some areas, compared to petrol priced between N600 and N750 per litre.
El-Rufai delivered these remarks while presenting the lead paper at a workshop on Enhancing Skills of Government Officials in Policy Implementation and Productive Human Management Resources.
The workshop targeted commissioners, chief advisers, special advisers, senior technical advisers to Governor Babagana Zulum, as well as heads or chief executives of agencies and departments, tertiary institutions, and local government chairmen.
During his presentation themed ‘Leadership and Public Policy: Navigating Challenges and Lessons,’ el-Rufai emphasized the necessity for decisive leadership.
He outlined qualities such as decisiveness, trustworthiness, empowerment irrespective of political or religious affiliations, clear communication skills, and resilience as essential attributes of effective leadership.
Speaking with journalists after his presentation, el-Rufai emphasized the importance of pragmatism in leadership, acknowledging that policies may require modifications based on evolving circumstances.
He underscored the need for humility in admitting when policies do not yield the desired outcomes, citing the removal of fuel subsidy as an example.
While el-Rufai expressed initial support for the withdrawal of fuel subsidies, he noted that the current administration has reinstated the subsidy due to its impact and the ineffectiveness of support measures to mitigate its effects.
He pointed out that the subsidy expenditure has escalated, surpassing previous levels, indicating the government’s recognition of its necessity.
El-Rufai challenged perceptions by urging individuals to compare the prices of petrol and diesel per litre to ascertain the presence of fuel subsidy.
He argued that under normal circumstances, petrol should be priced higher than diesel, highlighting the complexities involved in managing fuel subsidies and their socioeconomic implications.
