THE Federal Government may be considering the implementation of the policy of full deregulation of the downstream sector. According to Labaran Maku, who briefed State House correspondents after yesterday’s Federal Executive Council meeting, despite the criticism of the policy by some Nigerians, an overwhelming majority are satisfied that its full implementation was crucial to the up-scaling of the oil and gas sector so as to curtail corruption and develop the economy.
He lamented that the Federal Government is currently losing a lot of money to the payment of subsidy as Nigerians continue to suffer from both lack of infrastructure and payment of extra amounts to avail themselves of services from the oil and gas sector.
“Without deregulation, there will not be a regulated downstream sector. Currently government is losing, the people are losing because we cannot generate jobs. The potentials that the oil and gas sector could have unleashed on the country are completely trunketed. But the effort is continuous.
Government will not relent on its effort to convince Nigerians so as to reverse the trend of suffering as a result of fuel subsidy,” Maku said.
On the security challenges facing the country, the minister said his ministry had done a lot to create awareness across the country and sensitize Nigerians on security consciousness.
He explained that following a meeting of the National Security Council last year, a template on security awareness has been embarked upon by all states.
“The overall objective of terrorism is to bring down government and scare Nigerians. The agenda of the group is anti-Islamic. People everywhere in the North are suffering. But our efforts have showed Nigerians the impact of terror on the northern economy. That has exposed terror for what it is today. Most stakeholders in the North are joining the debate,” he stated.
He continued: “Today Christians and Muslims are not fighting as government has de-escalated terrorism. Most of the fight against terror, particularly in Kano involves people of the communities. The ministry also did a little campaign in the communities between Dadin Kowa and Bokkos in Plateau State. Now both Christians and Muslims are working against elements of terror.”
On the National Good Governance Tour, Maku noted that it was a huge success, saying no single state rejected it. “The ministry went round to Abuja, Niger, Plateau, Nasarawa, Benue and other states. What is crucial is that the tour has generated competition between states.
“I believe that there must be cooperative federalism. I am not here to run down states or promote them. If there is anything wrong we project it. The argument that the tour is anti-progress is puerile. The Citizens Forum hosted during the tour has brought the people closer to their governments. What we have done with the tour is something that the media and the public should take a second look at. It is something that will engender engagement and development,” Maku explained.
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