President Bola Ahmed Tinubu asserted that Nigerians are starting to witness the benefits of subsidy removal on petrol, despite widespread suffering and grievances over its effects and the slow deployment of palliatives to alleviate the impact.
He made these remarks during the 2023 Civil Service Week Gala/Award Night in Abuja, represented by Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
Tinubu highlighted the positive outcomes resulting from the two policies announced at his inauguration – the removal of fuel subsidy and the new forex regime – which have received support and commendation from the global community for their courage in implementing these shifts.
He assured the public that the government would swiftly address the hardships experienced by citizens due to these measures through targeted policy interventions to provide relief and support to those who have been suffering.
During the event, Senator Akume also praised the Head of Service’s digitalization efforts in the civil service, emphasizing the need for a paradigm shift towards digitalization to make policymaking and governance more efficient and seamless.
He recognized the civil service as the fulcrum for governance and stressed the importance of adopting digital processes to enhance resource utilization and contribute to national development.
Furthermore, the event featured the announcement of various prizes, including a brand new 2022 JAC JS4 Luxury Model SUV, a 2-Bedroom Semi-Detached Bungalow, and a Plot of Land, awarded to outstanding civil servants.
Several Permanent Secretaries and Directors were also commended for their exemplary performance in implementing the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021-2025 (FCSSIP 25).
The occasion underscored the government’s commitment to making tough but necessary policy changes to enhance governance efficiency, effectiveness, and productivity, while recognizing and rewarding exceptional contributions from civil servants.
