Former Minister for Youth Development and Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi, has disclosed that former President Goodluck Jonathan restricted each of his ministers to the use of only two cars during the fuel subsidy removal crisis in 2012.

He stated that Jonathan also stopped members of his cabinet from travelling in first class with a view to providing more funds for other relevant government activities.

According to him, though some ministers didn’t comply with his directive, the ex-president told them to reflect on the sufferings Nigerians were going through by reducing the cost of governance.

The former minister spoke on the heels of the N27.5tn budget estimates for the 2024 fiscal year tagged the ‘Budget of Hope’ presented by President Bola Tinubu and currently being scrutinised by the National Assembly.

There have been mixed reactions from the public and the joint National Assembly Committees on the huge amount allocated to some items of ministries and agencies of the government in the proposed budget.

The Committee on Trade and Industry had frowned on the allocation of N1bn for a foreign trip to Geneva, Switzerland, by the Ministry of Trade and Investment.

The lawmaker representing Edo North Senatorial District, Adams Oshiomhole, at the defence of the 2024 budget of the ministry, cautioned against travelling with over-bloated teams, thereby increasing the cost of governance.

The State House had also earmarked N9.5bn for the purchase of tyres for bulletproof vehicles, Sport Utility Vehicles, operational vehicles, plain cars, and the construction of an office complex for Special Advisers and Senior Special Assistants.

Earlier, the sum of N160bn was appropriated to purchase SUVs for lawmakers of the National Assembly.

Speaking in an interview with Saturday PUNCH, the former minister expressed the need to reduce the cost of governance.

He said Nigerians would have hailed the National Assembly if they had reflected on the sufferings of the people by using part of the funds on constituencies and purchasing Nigerian 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 subsidy 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.”

drlateef:
They don’t need to fly first class when they could buy a brand new private jet with their loot. Was Deziani’s son not seen a private jet owned by his family?

slaawomirr:
Damnnn niggar

Jonathan my niggar

If you criticise Jonathan, Buhari and now you no longer want to criticise tinubu because of tribalism and religion sentiments may you and your children know no peace
If you were gingered in 2012 protest when Jonathan removed subsidy and you were part of the protest but now you suddenly lost your voice for a protest when the suffering under tinubu is getting worse may you and children know no peace

Urheadmaster:


former President Goodluck Jonathan being mean well for Nigerians but Nigerian people don't want something good

slaawomirr:
Damnnn niggar

Jonathan my niggar

If you criticise Jonathan, Buhari and now you no longer want to criticise tinubu because of tribalism and religion sentiments may you and your children know no peace
If you were gingered in 2012 protest when Jonathan removed subsidy and you were part of the protest but now you suddenly lost your voice for a protest when the suffering under tinubu is getting worse may you and children know no peace

The level of tribalism and religion sentiments going on this country is getting worse

Now for all those rejoicing in my first prayer
I will also say this if you did not criticise Jonathan and Buhari but quick to criticise tinubu now may you and your family know no peace

We must unite against our politicians because they have united against us

WhisperedNoise:
Meanwhile, our current tyrant is splurging billions of Naira in sponsoring clowns to Dubai while his workers are being paid #30,000 minimum wage.

Renewed hope.