Former minister for youth development and sports Bolaji Abdullahi has said that during the 2012 fuel subsidy crisis ex-President Goodluck Jonathan directed cabinet members to stop flying first-class.
The ex-minister spoke on the heels of the N27.5 trillion budget estimates for the 2024 fiscal year presented by President Bola Tinubu and currently being scrutinised by the National Assembly.
Recently, the National Assembly Committee on Trade and Industry frowned at the allocation of N1 billion for a foreign trip to Geneva, Switzerland, by the Ministry of Trade and Investment.
Goodluck Jonathan renews driving licence in Abuja
Goodluck Jonathan visits Tinubu in Aso Villa
Speaking with PUNCH on Saturday, Abdullahi said Jonathan restricted each of his ministers to the use of only two cars during trips to ensure that the public see them as ensuring a reduction in the cost of governance.
He said, “I remember in January 2012, during the issue of the fuel subsidy. That was the first time the former president, Goodluck Jonathan, wanted to take the issue of fuel subsidy head-on. I remember at one of the meetings, former President Jonathan told us that as ministers, we could no longer travel first class.”
Abdullahi added that Nigerians would have praised the National Assembly if they had reflected on the suffering of the people by using part of the funds earmarked for buying foreign cars on constituencies and purchasing Nigerian cars.
