Group Lauds Jonathan For Deepening Democracy

The Executive Director,
Conscience Nigeria (CN), an NGO, Mr Tosin Adeyanju, commended President
Goodluck Jonathan for nurturing a favourable democratic space through a recent
media chat.

Mr. Adeyanju told newsmen in Abuja that such platform
would enlighten the people about government activities as well as enhance their
participation in democratic processes.

“The media chat is a welcome development to the nation’s
evolving democracy; we urge the President to do more,” he said.

He stressed the need for the President to renew
commitment in the fight against corruption, noting that anti-graft agencies
should be encouraged to prosecute corrupt officials.

The director called on all Nigerians to assist the
various security agencies with vital information on how to curb insecurity in
the country.

“Tackling insecurity in Nigeria is not a responsibility
of security institutions alone; it requires collective efforts and contribution
of all Nigerians to fight the menace of terrorism,” he said.

Mr. Adeyanju also
advocated total deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector to allow
government access to more funds to develop infrastructure.

According to him, fuel subsidy only benefits the few oil
marketers at the detriment of the majority of Nigerians.

He said that currently fuel was sold at N97 per litre
only in Abuja and in some few cities, adding that “people used to buy fuel at
N120 and above in most parts of the country”.

“ Therefore, who is benefiting from the subsidy? It will
be better for the government to remove it to enable more marketers secure
license for oil importation.

“The country needs to save the billions it is spending
to sustain the subsidy regime for other development projects that will help the
nation’s economy to grow,“ Adeyanju said.