Subsidy removal: We'll do better next time ' Jonathan

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has pledged to handle the issue of subsidy withdrawal better next time and in a way that would not cause much suffering to the people.However, he believes that the crisis following January 1, 2012 hike in fuel cost has left the country stronger and better.Speaking while hosting members of the Diplomatic Corps in the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja on, Tuesday night, he also said that Nigeria's democracy was strong and could not be toppled by any interest.Jonathan, who regretted the inconvenience that might have been suffered by the diplomats during the period of the nationwide strike, assured that the incident 'has even made us stronger and, indeed, better.'According to him, 'we promise that we will continue to grow from strength to strength and the incident of last week, we have put them behind us and we are moving forward. We will not experience that kind of situation again.'We will make sure we work hard to ensure we will not experience that again.'We appreciate your understanding. I know some people must have come to you and send all kinds of messages to your various governments. I believe that you know that the position of the government is the best for the people.'The government will ensure that while adjusting the pump price, we will not do it in a way that will bring suffering to the people.'We know we were misunderstood. Prices couldn't have gone up that way but that is a human society and is a human factor.'Jonathan, who expressed his appreciation and that of the government and people of Nigeria over the goodwill messages from the diplomats, also thanked them for their various roles.Speaking on the challenge of the Boko Haram sect, the president, who recalled that even the United Nations (UN) Building in Abuja was not spared by bombers, said Nigeria would continue to maintain cordial relationship with the Diplomatic Corps and their countries. He said: "Nigerian government is totally committed to the maintenance of peace and order in line with UN Charter.'We believe that all citizens of the world should live freely and peacefully wherever they find themselves. We will work with you and all your countries and organisations to make sure that the world is a place where all of us will live without fear or favour.
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