Senator Bukola Saraki is the former governor of Kwara State. In this interview with Abiola Azeez, he speaks on the issue generated by the planned fuel subsidy removal, the recent merging of opposition parties with the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in his home state, among other issues. Excerpts:As a stakeholder, what do you think of the seventh National Assembly' I can see the quest to serve. We are looking into matters that are of interest to Nigerians. I can see that the process will benefit the people and the people in leadership too are playing their own part to ensure that Nigerians benefit from a dynamic, purpose-driven seventh National Assembly. I think it is promising. We'll not disappoint Nigerians; people will be pleasantly surprised with the quality of work we do.I will use my motion as example. Even while it was being awaited, people were asking 'where is our motion'' I mean the enthusiasm was there. It was co-sponsored by everybody. At the debate, the executives of the Senate were speaking as floor members; the Senate President also spoke as a floor member. I believe it's a good omen for what is coming ahead, and given what I know other senators have in the pipeline in different sectors of the economy, I believe Nigerians would be proud of the Assembly.What is the Senate doing on the state of the nation's environment'People ask about climate change, whether it's real or not. Climate change and environmental issues have come to stay with us; it is real. We need to bring issues of environment to the front burner, to discuss the ramifications, as well as the implications of some of the issues that are affected. You are talking about every part of the country on issues of environment. In the South-West, it is flooding; dessertification in the North; gully erosion in the South-East; oil spillage and gas flaring in the South-South. There are environmental challenges everywhere. I think it's because the general policies and strategies have not been taken as priorities by us all. The sooner we do that to protect the future generation, the better. We should not be having gas flaring any longer in this country.There have been numerous reactions on the planned removal of oil subsidy, do you think the Federal Government is on course with this decision, despite the reactions of Nigerians'We should not deceive ourselves, there's no way government can go about it without withdrawing the subsidy. Presently, Nigerians know they are getting the subsidy, being fully aware of the cost and it being sold to them at N65. They know they are getting the subsidy from the system. Now, to tell somebody to let go of something he can see for something he cannot feel, or cannot fathom how it is going to be like after the removal, can be difficult.So, let us start to educate Nigerians to see the benefit inherent in the removal of the subsidy. There is the need to fill them in on the amount to be spent; what the government would do and what will happen. People must be able to see the benefits of the removal and if there will be safety nets. This is very crucial, the people should not be kept in the dark. These are the things to be done and it takes a lot of consultation because it's not going to be easy.In the first place, why are our refineries not working' Why do we still import fuel' People ask all these questions. It is very expensive to refine here in the country, therefore, the need for importation.Last year, we spent N600 billion on fuel subsidy. This year, it is likely we will spend up to N1.1 trillion. You then ask the question, are we consuming more petroleum products' And if we run more efficient mechanism, is it possible we keep it at N600 billion' If it is at N600 billion, is it sustainable' We won't be having this debate if we only spend N300 billion on subsidy. The issue of subsidy is suffocating government at N1.1 trillion because it's more than the entire capital budget. I sympathise with the government on the situation. Truly, we must find a solution, otherwise, if you say government should continue, it may not sustain it.We should gain the confidence of Nigerians, so that they won't think the money will be embezzled. Definitely, everyone will be able to see where the government is going, that no matter what we have to do to get to our goal, we have to stop fuel importation. If we produce, we can be able to subsidise, but we are not producing. Other countries being compared with Nigeria, like Venezuela and Saudi Arabia, are producing locally.The government has to be as transparent as possible. Let's get it to the point of people believing that this thing that I can now afford and enjoy is because of removal of subsidy. The shout of 'no,no,no' is because people have lost confidence. We can address this issue and be on same plane together. Nigerians should be made to understand that, though they cannot get the subsidy physically, they can see it in terms of provision of infrastructure.What is the assurance on the committee set up to investigate the alleged fraud in oil sector'The committee should get to the bottom of the matter to find out if excesses or wastage exist. And I think there would be public hearing. The allegations are too serious. Thus, we must get to the bottom of the issue to find out the true position of things. How did we consume N600 billion fuel and now N1.1 trillion' Is it that we have more cars or we use more fuel' They should come up to tell us and the beauty of it all is that no matter how much the figures are falsified locally, there are other ways to get actual figures. The Ministry of Finance and the Appropriation and Downstream committee are looking at it. The fraud is affecting the entire country. I can assure you that a thorough job will be done.What is your take on the merger of some political parties with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State' I'm not too surprised. Yes, we had issues during the gubernatorial election in the state, but the fundamental fact is that the PDP government was on ground and had made a lot of difference in the state. And with good strategy, the government is moving in the right direction. So, when people look and see all what the present governor is doing on job creation, among all other programmes, the people see that this is a party for the common man, which is people-friendly and ready to solve problems and provide better solutions. That's why you see all people from other parties coming into the PDP. The All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) members are back and 90 per cent of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) members are back, including other parties too.The PDP is where I see the party structure. The ACN largely had some protest votes in the last election from the ACPN members. Even if you look at the spread of the total votes cast, most of the votes were won by the PDP. People have confidence in the PDP than any other party in the state as the party to take them to the Promise Land. We are even back stronger than we were before the election and nine months before the crisis in the party. You see, there is no alternative for anyone than to be in the PDP. Again, people coming into the PDP now are not seen as new members; and that's the key point. These are returnees who have a right in the party as members of the party.
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