President Jonathan Says He Will Raise Petrol Prices,Again
Posted: March 19, 2013 - 16:00
By SaharaReporters, New York
President Goodluck Jonathan sayshe will definitely raise gas prices again, but will “discuss” with the public the easiest way to do it.
On New Year’s Day 2012, Jonathan greeted Nigerians with the shock of new oil prices as he attempted to scrap so-called oil subsidies, leading to widespread strikes and protests that almost toppled his government.
He solved the problem at that time by partially revoking the effort. He raised the price to 97 Naira a liter, up from 65 Naira.
Speaking at a press conference inLagos today, Mr. Jonathan said, “We cannot continue to waste resources meant for a greater number of Nigerians to subsidize the affluent middle class, who arethe main beneficiaries.”
He did not make any reference tothe mammoth corruption and manipulation in the oil sector, andhas kept in place Petroleum Minister Diezani Allison-Madueke, who has been serially accused of corruption and self-enrichment, as well as other officials.
Mr. Jonathan has also failed to implement the report of the NuhuRibadu-led Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force which last yearmade important recommendationson how to correct problems in the sector, just as he has throughout his presidency failed to implement various anti-corruption and good