Mbah Supports Tinubu's Fuel Subsidy Removal, Says No Going Back

The Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, has firmly backed President Bola Tinubu's decision to remove the fuel subsidy. He believes it is clear that going back to the previous system is not an option and is unrealistic for anyone to think otherwise.

Mbah shared his views during a town hall meeting organized by Afia TV in Enugu on Wednesday. He also highlighted that his government has provided good governance in the state across various areas.

He described it as a misguided view for anyone to suggest that fuel subsidy should return. He said, "If you reintroduce fuel subsidy today, we will lose ten times whatever we are currently trying to gain in terms of the removal of subsidy. The poverty rate that you are going to experience will be very high because the naira would be automatically devalued."

Mbah stressed, "We cannot go back to subsidy. And I do not think it is in the interest of the country for us to even debate that."

He explained that discussing a return to fuel subsidy could send the wrong message to investors. He said, "Those that are coming in today to invest in that sector will become jittery. So, it is not even a subject to debate. It is something that we have moved on from, and we should be thinking about how to ensure that the natural benefits cascade to the households, create jobs and generate wealth for our people."

He urged the nation to focus on attracting private investment and mentioned the progress in the stock market. He added that Tinubu’s policies have improved key economic indicators, which helps attract foreign investment.

Mbah said, "You can see quite a lot of funds coming into our country, not just portfolio investments, but also direct investments. It is also going to strengthen because the macro indicators are right."

He pointed out that removing fuel subsidy allows the government to help the less privileged, unlike the previous subsidy system that mostly benefited the wealthy. He stated, "By the way, I do not think the subsidy we practised before the President removed it was even the right one for the country because even the people we were looking at benefiting from it were only insignificantly benefiting from it. It was largely beneficial to our wealthy folks."

Mbah added, "But now, you can almost notice that the government is doing that in targeting the poor, using proceeds from subsidy removal. The government is aggressive on cash transfers. There is also the programme where the government is targeting 1,000 persons per ward across the entire country to be able to provide seed capital for them to become productive."

On his achievements so far, Mbah said his government has stayed true to the people of Enugu State. He claimed they have delivered effective governance across all areas in line with his campaign promises.

He urged the people to reflect on the state of Enugu four years ago compared to now. He said, "Let us imagine the Enugu we knew four years ago. Let us just imagine an Enugu without Hotel Presidential. Let us imagine an Enugu without the International Conference Centre."

Mbah continued to list projects, saying, "You do not want them to imagine an Enugu without the International Hospital. You do not want them to imagine an Enugu without the CNG buses, the Nigergas. I think the list is endless."

He believes the future holds more. He said, "Just imagine an Enugu where our children are receiving education that prepares them for the world because they have been imbued with evolving 21st-century skills. Imagine again an Enugu where you do not have any part of the city with an unpaved road."

Mbah painted a picture of a bright future, saying, "Also, imagine an Enugu in four years’ time that generates 660 megawatts of electricity; where we are able to provide 24-hour power supply; where you cannot come into your house and have the light off."

He encouraged his audience, saying, "Imagine an Enugu where you generate electricity and the people of Enugu are buying that at 120 naira because they own the coal that feeds the power plant."

Mbah also envisioned a well-connected Enugu, saying, "Imagine an Enugu where you now have to ride, not just on our CNG buses, but you have the monorail that can take you from point A to point B."

Finally, he called on the people to support his vision for growth and development, emphasizing the importance of his re-election. He concluded, "If these imaginations capture our fancy, then we have a duty to fight for it. We do have a duty to continue to make sure that the bar does not come down and that the standard we have set in Enugu is sustained."