Live stream: http://www.channelstv.com/global/live_video.php

Transcript: https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-841255.0.html#msg9915958

WATCH OUT FOR THIS!
mAkE OR mAr!

Source : NTA

any other channel showing?

Here is the advance copy of another national broadcast slated for 9:00 PM Nigerian time by President Goodluck Jonathan tonight.

Dear Compatriots: 1. A week ago, I had cause to address Nigerians on the security challenges we are facing in parts of the country, which necessitated the declaration of a state of emergency in 15 Local Government Areas in four states of the Federation. That course of action attracted widespread support and a demonstration of understanding. With that declaration, government had again signaled its intention to combat terrorism with renewed vigour and to assure every Nigerian of safety.

2. The support that we have received in the fight against terrorism from concerned Nigerians at home and abroad has been remarkable. We believe that it is with such continued support that progress can be made on national issues. Let me express my heartfelt appreciation to everyone who has expressed a commitment to support us as we strive to improve on the country’s security situation, and build a stronger foundation for the future. The recent mindless acts of violence in Gombe, Potiskum, Jimeta-Yola and Mubi are unfortunate. I urge all Nigerians to eschew bitterness and acrimony and live together in harmony and peace. Wherever there is any threat to public peace, our security agencies will enforce the law, without fear or favour.

3. This evening, I address you, again, with much concern over an issue that borders on the national economy, the oil industry and national progress. As part of our efforts to transform the economy and guarantee prosperity for all Nigerians, Government, a few days ago, announced further deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector. The immediate effect of this has been the removal of the subsidy on petrol.

4. Since the announcement, there have been mixed reactions to the policy. Let me seize this opportunity to assure all Nigerians that I feel the pain that you all feel. I personally feel pained to see the sharp increase in transport fares and the prices of goods and services. I share the anguish of all persons who had travelled out of their stations, who had to pay more on the return leg of their journeys.

5. If I were not here to lead the process of national renewal, if I were in your shoes at this moment, I probably would have reacted in the same manner as some of our compatriots, or hold the same critical views about government. But I need to use this opportunity as your President to address Nigerians on the realities on the ground, and why we chose to act as we did. I know that these are not easy times. But tough choices have to be made to safeguard the economy and our collective survival as a nation.

6. My fellow Nigerians, the truth is that we are all faced with two basic choices with regard to the management of the downstream petroleum sector: either we deregulate and survive economically, or we continue with a subsidy regime that will continue to undermine our economy and potential for growth, and face serious consequences.

7. As you all know, the subject of deregulation is not new, we have been grappling with it for more than two decades. Previous administrations tinkered with the pump price of petroleum products, and were unable to effect complete deregulation of the downstream sector. This approach has not worked. If it did, we would not be here talking about deregulation today. I understand fully well that deregulation is not a magic formula that will address every economic challenge, but it provides a good entry point for transforming the economy, and for ensuring transparency and competitiveness in the oil industry, which is the mainstay of our economy.

8. As a President, elected and supported by ordinary Nigerians, and the vast majority of our people, I have a duty to bring up policies and programmes that will grow the economy and bring about greater benefits for the people. Let me assure you that as your President, I have no intention to inflict pain on Nigerians.

9. The deregulation of the petroleum sector is a necessary step that we had to take. Should we continue to do things the same way, and face more serious economic challenges? Or deregulate, endure the initial discomfort and reap better benefits later? I want to assure every Nigerian that whatever pain you may feel at the moment, will be temporary.

10. The interest of the ordinary people of this country will always remain topmost in my priorities as a leader. I remain passionately committed to achieving significant and enduring improvements in our economy that will lead to sustained improvement in the lives of our people.

11. I am determined to leave behind a better Nigeria, which we all can be proud of. To do so, I must make sure that we have the resources and the means to grow our economy to be resilient, and to sustain improved livelihood for our people. We must act in the public interest, no matter how tough, for the pains of today cannot be compared to the benefits of tomorrow. On assumption of office as President, I swore to an oath to always act in the best interest of the people. I remain faithful to that undertaking.

12. To save Nigeria, we must all be prepared to make sacrifices. On the part of Government, we are taking several measures aimed at cutting the size and cost of governance, including on-going and continuous effort to reduce the size of our recurrent expenditure and increase capital spending. In this regard, I have directed that overseas travels by all political office holders, including the President, should be reduced to the barest minimum. The size of delegations on foreign trips will also be drastically reduced; only trips that are absolutely necessary will be approved.

13. For the year 2012, the basic salaries of all political office holders in the Executive arm of government will be reduced by 25%. Government is also currently reviewing the number of committees, commissions and parastatals with overlapping responsibilities. The Report on this will be submitted shortly and the recommendations will be promptly implemented. In the meantime, all Ministries, Departments and Agencies must reduce their overhead expenses.

14. We are all greatly concerned about the issue of corruption. The deregulation policy is the strongest measure to tackle this challenge in the downstream sector. In addition, government is taking other steps to further sanitize the oil industry.

15. To ensure that the funds from petroleum subsidy removal are spent prudently on projects that will build a greater Nigeria, I have established a committee to oversee the implementation of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme. I sincerely believe that the reinvestment of the petroleum subsidy funds, to ensure improvement in national infrastructure, power supply, transportation, irrigation and agriculture, education, healthcare, and other social services, is in the best interest of our people.

16. Fellow Nigerians, I know that the removal of the petroleum subsidy imposes an initial burden on our people, especially the rising cost of transportation. Government will be vigilant and act decisively to curb the excesses of those that want to exploit the current situation for selfish gains. I plead for the understanding of all Nigerians. I appeal to our youth not to allow mischief-makers to exploit present circumstances to mislead or incite them to disturb public peace.

17. To address the immediate challenges that have been identified, I have directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government to embark immediately on all projects, which have been designed to cushion the impact of the subsidy removal in the short, medium and long-term, as outlined in the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme Document.

18. Tomorrow, 8th January, I will formally launch a robust mass transit intervention programme to bring down the cost of transportation across the country. The programme will be implemented in partnership with state and local governments, labour unions, transport owners, and banking institutions, and supported with the provision of funding at zero interest rate as well as import duty waiver on all needed parts for locally-made mass transit vehicles, which will create additional jobs in the economy.

19. We will keep these incentives in place for as long as it takes. I want to assure you that Government will not rest until we bring down the cost of transportation for our people. Let me thank the transporters’ associations that have agreed to reduce transport fares. I have directed the Minister of Labour and Productivity to work with these associations to come up with a sustainable plan to guarantee this within the shortest possible time.

20. In addition, I have ordered the mobilization of contractors for the full rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt –Maiduguri Railway Line and the completion of the Lagos-Kano Railway Line. I have also directed the immediate commencement of a Public Works programme that will engage the services of about 10, 000 youths in every state of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory. This will create an additional 370, 000 jobs.

21. Government has taken these decisions in the best interest of our economy, so that we not only have benefits today, but to ensure that we bequeath even greater benefits to our children and grandchildren.

22. Let me assure Nigerians that every possible effort will be made to ensure that we march forward, with a collective resolve to build a Nigeria that can generate greater economic growth, create and sustain new jobs, and secure the future of our children.

23. This Administration will aggressively implement its programme to reposition and strengthen our economy, while paying adequate attention to the immediate needs of our citizens.

24. I assure you all that we will work towards achieving full domestic refining of petroleum products with the attendant benefits.

25. As I ask for the full understanding of all Nigerians, I also promise that I will keep my word.

26. Thank you. May God bless you; and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR
President
Federal Republic of Nigeria
January 7, 2012

EMBARGOED: NOT FOR BROADCAST BEFORE 9.00PM, JANUARY 7, 2012

http://saharareporters.com/press-release/jonathan-stick-his-guns-give-another-national-broadcast-deregulation-downstream-petrol

has it started?

muyoto:

has it started?

Yes,it started exactly 9pm

whao, exact speech 'pre-ordered', just watching on nta and d president is reading on,

its on now on channels tv.

its live on nta now

This badluck is not serious oh, he should have saved his breath. still repeating the same old story  hisss

STORY, If you will reduce cost of government, how about you revise the budget immediately showing the reduction?

Is it me? Or is there nothing new in this speech?

I pity the guy, he don dey old.

Surely our govt has misplaced priorities. I even thought he was going to be squarely addressing BH rampage. NA subsidy still they worry am  

Sahara Reporters una too much joo

Na wa o, the guy didn't even mention anything about the N1Billion food he's destined to eat this year, the $120Million it will cost to renovate the V.P's office, the $50Million it will cost to renovate his wife's office (an office which is not recognized by any Laws in Nigeria), the N250million it cos him for 2 Mercedes Benzes, the $2million+ his Senators earn, the tons of S.A's and Asst.S.A's, the fact that 70% of the budget is spent on Govt, or the fact that he has blown every penny in the Treasury.

As far as I'm concerned, Uncle Jonah is not yet ready to lead, as such, Nigerians should teach him a lesson in governance by shutting down the damn country!

For the year 2012, the basic salaries of all political office holders in the Executive arm of government will be reduced by 25%. Government is also currently reviewing the number of committees, commissions and parastatals with overlapping responsibilities. The Report on this will be submitted shortly and the recommendations will be promptly implemented. In the meantime, all Ministries, Departments and Agencies must reduce their overhead expenses.

so after 2012 they will go back to their normal salaries while we still have to live with the high cost of fuel abi? He should have said[b] FROM[/b] 2012.

Dry speech. I have always say that the government  lacks focus.

Stu-pid man. . . . . .how does this speech reduce the burden he has placed on the common man.should car owners also stop using their cars and board jona's molue ?

i really have more important things to do (like watching Dora the Explorer with my little daughter) than listen to that man.
Those who watched or are still watching,has he or did he say anything about cutting the huge cost of governance and those silly projects listed in the budget for Aso rock?

GEJ says he feels the pain of his people, the guy dey yawn rubbish for tv now, he even stand like say dem force am to address us on national tv,imagine person wey no dey buy fuel say e de feel our pain. The guy dey shiver for tv abi na my tv dey vibrate? The 25% wey e say dem go remove from their salary na lie, how we go know,the guy wan use fluke

Sahara Reporters was ahead on this.

Did Mr Jonathan say anything new? Did he offer to sacrifice anything (especially on the cost of governance)?

This guy is a fool! Complete fool. Just 25%?

Nigeria Map Have Divided itself already. Why are we still wasting our time?

If we can not do anything this month MORE TROUBLES AHEAD

Story story, its all lies. He's trying to stop d strike. All this is long story, he won't do anytin and as he has said this, if he doesn't do any of this may all d curses that has been made against him come to fulfilment in his life. Amen

Government has taken these decisions in the best interest of our economy, so that we not only have benefits today, but to ensure that we bequeath even greater benefits to our children and grandchildren.

As I ask for the full understanding of all Nigerians, I also promise that I will keep my word.


All dis political Eu-nuch know how to cajoled people sha.

Sahara reporters na wa o.una too much

dustydee:

so after 2012 they will go back to their normal salaries while we still have to live with the high cost of fuel abi? He should have said[b] FROM[/b] 2012.

Dont mind him.why can't he review the 2012 budget and address his 3 million naira daily feeding allowance among others ? drunken fisherman.

The speech was already posted by sahara reporters before he aired it

smh


http://saharareporters.com/press-release/jonathan-stick-his-guns-give-another-national-broadcast-deregulation-downstream-petrol