Okonjo-Iweala begs Nigerians

Coordinating minister for Economy and Finance Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala almost wept on yesterday as she practically begged Nigerians to accept the government's proposed removal of petroleum subsidy saying that by the end of the year 2011, government would have spent N1.4 trillion on subsidy, about 30 per cent of its total yearly expenditure.'What we are asking you Nigerians to do is to give us a chance. We know there is lack of confidence in government. We need to rebuild the trust. Even those of us in government are tired of complaining. We can't succeed without you. Give us chance to perform and see if we can make that change', she said.Addressing members of the public at the town meeting organized by Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) in Lagos, Okonjo-Iweala begged: 'Please give us a chance to make the difference this time. We pledge not to disappoint you again.'Okonjo-Iweala, alongside the minister for petroleum, Diezeani Allison Madueke and the central bank governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi were at the gathering to present the position of federal government over the fuel subsidy removal.Practically overwhelmed by the outpour of emotion displayed by members of the civil society and the audience, the finance minister had to resort to pleading with the people, urging them to see reason with government.'Yes we know that cabal exists and it is expected that government should go after them, arrest them and send them to EFCC. But Nigerians needs to show understanding and give us chance this time around. Lets us not transmit this mistrust to the younger generation', Iweala said.Earlier, both Okonjo-Iweala and Petroleum minister, Madueke had put forward the argument while fuel subsidy removal cannot be sustained. According to the Finance minister, Nigeria had spent about N1.4 trillion to subsidized fuel in a year.Madueke on the other hand said government had realized three mistakes of the past by allocating the turnaround maintenance of the refineries to outsiders.
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