Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has said petrol costs more than ,000 per litre in the United Kingdom, claiming that Nigerians are “doing very well” with the current price of the commodity in the country.
Okpebholo stated this on Thursday while speaking at the “Operation Rescue Benin-Asaba Road” event in Edo State.
The governor said he visited London the previous week and decided to compare the price of petrol in the United Kingdom with what motorists pay in Nigeria.
“When we complained about cost of petrol, I was in London last week. I told my friend, ‘Let’s go and buy fuel just to know the cost of fuel between Nigeria and England.’
“Let me tell you, after conversion, it’s about 3,000-something for one litre of fuel,” he said.
Okpebholo said the comparison showed that Nigerians were getting petrol at a lower price.
“We are doing very well here. The President is stabilising the economy. He’s an economist,” he said.
His comment comes amid continued concerns over the cost of petrol and other essential commodities following the removal of petrol subsidy and subsequent changes in pump prices.
The governor said the economic reforms being implemented by the Federal Government were difficult but would eventually yield results.
“Because what we are seeing in Nigeria today is a reform. And that reform that is ongoing is a very difficult one,” he said.
He likened the economic reforms to an aircraft taking off, saying passengers do not receive food until the plane reaches cruising altitude.
“I make an illustration. When a plane is taking off, do you see them serving food? Do you see air hostesses serving food in the plane? They will never give you food until that seatbelt is released. That means on a cruising level. That is when they will start serving food.“I want to let you know, very soon Nigeria will be on the cruising level. Nigeria will be on a cruising level,” Okpebholo said.
The governor also pointed to road construction across the country as evidence of ongoing development under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“Look at the kind of roads that are being constructed today—concrete pavement all over Nigeria,” he said.
Okpebholo spoke while expressing support for the Federal Government’s intervention on the Benin-Asaba Road, which has suffered deterioration and caused difficulties for motorists using the route.
The event, tagged “Operation Rescue Benin-Asaba Road”, was held in connection with efforts to address the condition of the major highway linking Edo and Delta states.The governor also used the occasion to endorse Tinubu’s continued presidency, saying those planning to challenge the President in 2027 should reconsider their plans.
“Is Aso Rock vacant? Is Aso Rock vacant? So Aso Rock is not vacant,” Okpebholo said.
He added, “I agree with the Oba of Benin that said, ‘You don’t change a working President.’”
Okpebholo also said the economic reforms would eventually place Nigeria on a “cruising level”, adding that Edo State and the country were in “safe hands”.
He said, “That means even when Asiwaju leaves, whoever President that comes in the future after his… I want to let them know that Edo is in a safe hand. Nigeria is also in a safe hand.”
The governor ended by thanking those who attended the event over their concern for the Benin-Asaba Road.
Cc:Vanguard