Prof. Tamunoemi David-West, former
Minister of Petroleum and Energy has assured Nigerians that Gen. Mohammed
Buhari will reduce the fuel pump price from N87 to N40 per litre when he
assumes office.
According to Vanguard, David-West gave this
assurance in a telephone interview where he explained that the millions of
barrels of crude oil produced daily in Nigeria could boost economic growth if
properly harnessed.
He said: “I want to assure you that
by the time he takes over, petrol will be dispensed at
N40 per litre. This is possible and he has the credibility to make it work.
by the time he takes over, petrol will be dispensed at
N40 per litre. This is possible and he has the credibility to make it work.
The major assignment of the president-elect
when he is eventually inaugurated is to restore confidence to the industry”‘.
He noted that Buhari who was familiar with the
petroleum industry would sanitize the sector after his inauguration.
“As military head of state, he dealt with the
Federal Executive Council with the tenets of democracy. Buhari will build new
refineries to make petroleum products available for the masses. No responsible
government will allow the masses to suffer.
“He will strengthen the refineries within a
year. It is possible as we won’t spend any amount in setting up a green field
refinery. We already have a blueprint as we shall use what we have to get what
we want,” he added. He further stated that on many occasions, the president –
elect had disclosed that the subsidy initiative is a fraud which has distorted
the progress expected in the sector.”David West Said.
The former Minister lambasted the high rate of
corruption that has characterised the subsidy regime, noting that the trillions
of naira spent on both Petrol and Kerosene subsidy within the past few years
had inhibited efforts to properly carry-out the turn around maintenance for the
refineries in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the president-elect, Gen Muhammadu
Buhari has restated his resolve to fight corruption in the
country, noting that government officials and other agents of state who work to
subvert the nation’s constitution will not go unpunished.
Buhari told journalists at his country home in
Katsina on Saturday, April 11, that whether in the opposition or in the
ruling party nobody that works against the constitution will be allowed to
enjoy the privileges conferred by the constitution.