The former Minister for Youth Development and Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi, has revealed that during the fuel subsidy removal crisis in 2012, former President Goodluck Jonathan implemented stringent measures to curb government expenditure.
Abdullahi revealed that ex President Jonathan restricted each minister to the use of only two cars during the crisis.
Moreover, the former president prohibited members of his cabinet from traveling in first class, aiming to redirect funds to other crucial government activities.
Despite some ministers not fully complying with the directives, Jonathan urged them to consider the hardships faced by Nigerians and emphasized the importance of reducing the overall cost of governance.
These revelations resurfaced amidst the ongoing scrutiny of the 2024 fiscal year budget estimates, named the ‘Budget of Hope,’ presented by President Bola Tinubu.
The proposed budget has sparked mixed reactions from the public and the joint National Assembly Committees, particularly concerning significant allocations to specific ministries and government agencies.
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The Committee on Trade and Industry, for instance, expressed dissatisfaction with the allocation of N1 billion for a foreign trip to Geneva, Switzerland, by the Ministry of Trade and Investment.
During the budget defense, lawmaker Adams Oshiomhole cautioned against over-bloated teams and emphasized the need to avoid unnecessary expenditures that could inflate the cost of governance.
Furthermore, concerns have been raised about the State House earmarking N9.5 billion for the purchase of tires for bulletproof vehicles, Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs), operational vehicles, plain cars, and the construction of an office complex for Special Advisers and Senior Special Assistants. An earlier appropriation of N160 billion was also made for the purchase of SUVs for National Assembly lawmakers.
In an interview with Saturday PUNCH, Abdullahi underscored the importance of reducing the cost of governance.
He expressed the belief that the National Assembly would receive commendation from Nigerians if they redirected some funds toward constituencies and prioritized the purchase of Nigerian-made cars.
He said, “I remember in January 2012, during the issue of the fuel subsidy. That was the first time the former president, Goodluck Jonathan, wanted to take the issue of fuel subsidies head-on. I remember at one of the meetings, former President Jonathan told us that as ministers, we could no longer travel first class.
“He also said we could no longer move around with sirens, and we could only go out with our car and one other backup car. He said we needed to reflect sensitivity to the feelings of the people. Some people complied and some others didn’t comply, but the principle was very clear, and we also tried to adjust.
“I tried to imagine a National Assembly where a decision is taken that, given the situation of the country, they (National Assembly) are going to buy from Nigeria cars like Innoson Motors and they can use some part of the money for their constituency. I can’t imagine how Nigerians would hail them if that kind of decision were taken.”
(PUNCH)