Muhammed Abubakar, Reporting
THE Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Henry Dele Alake, has cautioned against amplifying the selfish pushback of cartels and other beneficiaries of the old fuel subsidy regime, who are fighting President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms to restore the status of business as usual.
Alake said in a statement on Tuesday that due to various interests and the desire to command eyeballs and listenership, some media houses put anybody on air to spew inanities daily and present personal opinions as gospel truths.
He said while well-informed minds can see the difference, the practice reduces the credibility of the media as a whole, and he urged practitioners to do their job with a higher sense of responsibility, credibility and integrity.
Minister Speaks Ahead of Campaign Season
The Minister spoke against the backdrop of the forthcoming campaigns, noting that Nigeria has a four-year election cycle and society will remain long after governments have come and gone.
Alake described Nigeria as a work in progress and an ongoing project since independence in 1960, adding that even the United States, cited as the citadel of democracy, is still evolving with infractions during elections.
He said Nigeria’s current pains are not new, noting that every developed society passed through similar crucibles of development, and likened the reforms to a panel beater fixing a dented car.
Using the panel beating analogy, he said the car goes through excruciating pain when hammered, but after painting, the dent disappears, stressing that no society develops without attendant pains.
Subsidy Regime Dominated by Cartels — Alake
Alake recalled that the Nigerian economy before 2023 was badly damaged and previous governments knew the distortions but lacked the courage to take hard decisions due to political expediency and fear of elections.
He said the fuel subsidy regime was dominated by cartels and smugglers, not average Nigerians, noting that while an average family had one vehicle, elite families had up to ten vehicles benefiting from subsidised fuel.
The Minister said funds that should have gone into infrastructure were wasted on subsidy, leaving over 18 states unable to pay salaries and forcing the Federal Government to borrow to pay wages.
According to him, President Tinubu decided to take the bullet and swallow the bitter pill on behalf of the nation, adding that the last budget by the Buhari administration had no provision for subsidy beyond 30 June 2023.
Reforms Have Stabilised Macro Economy — Minister
Alake said every government policy has a gestation period and cannot yield results overnight, but assured that the reforms have stabilised the macroeconomy as confirmed by local and foreign rating agencies.
He cited NELFUND as a micro-level trickle-down effect of the reforms, noting that students and parents who previously struggled with tuition now benefit from loans and monthly allowances.
The Minister urged the media to practise constructive criticism and do background checks before reporting, adding that issues like the party’s campaign council list are internal mechanisms and not issues for public debate.
