*Says the era of relying on top shots to turn right Billionaire overnight is gone
From our Correspondent
Former governor of Edo state and Senate Committee Chairman of Interior, Senator Adams Aliu Oshiomhole, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the withdrawal of fuel subsidy saying the era of relying on connections and political favor to become wealthy overnight is over.
Oshiomhole said this while inspecting a multi-billion naira tank farm and inaugurating a mega fuel station in Warri, Delta state built by an Itsekiri businessman and a chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Chief Ayirimi Emami in Ifie community and Warri, both of Warri South local government area of Delta State.
Inaugurating the project, Oshiomhole commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the withdrawal of fuel subsidy, stating that it has had a positive impact on the economy noting that it is now essential to work, sell, and make a profit to thrive.
He emphasized that the removal of subsidies has made young people more self-reliant and encouraged them to invest in sectors that contribute to the economy.
Specifically, the former national chairman of the APC who took a facility tour of the A & E Tank Farm before inaugurating the gas station, praised the Itsekiri businessman and APC chieftain, Chief Ayirimi Emami, for his investment and described it as a vote of confidence in President Tinubu’s oil policy.
Oshiomhole also encouraged more young people to invest in Nigeria and seize the opportunities available in the country instead of ‘japing’ at any given opportunity.
He said that the project was very significant to the economy of Warri because Chief Ayirimi Emami, invested in the removal of fuel subsidy, which he said has created a level playing ground for all in Nigeria’s economy.
Oshiomole said; “I am very impressed by what I’ve seen. It takes a lot of courage and foresight to impress such a swampy place and turn it into an economic hub.
“It is significant that he is making this investment after the removal of the petrol subsidy.
“I believe his action is a vote of confidence on the policy that President Bola Tinubu has put in place which effectively means that Tinubu has put an end to the regime that if you have a friend in the oil system they can turn you to a billionaire overnight, without effort, just by sheer favor and connection and sometimes political bias.
“Now with the withdrawal of subsidy, you either work, sell, and prosper or you don’t and you perish.
“This is the level playing field that President Tinubu has created by the policy”.
Senator Oshiomhole commended Chief Emami for investing in Nigeria at a time when many young people are leaving the country, describing Emami as the “best ambassador in the industrial sub-sector.”
“It is to show what the young people can do, not lament about not being given the opportunity.
“I think Chief has shown that it is not about somebody coming to pity you and help you out and turning obstacles into opportunities. In the process, you pull people out of unemployment and put them into work.
“There are no longer huge industries that employ thousands of people.
“Nigerians have never sat down to ask themselves how come they are not seeing the opportunities in Nigeria but the Lebanese, the Indians are coming in droves to find jobs because they have destroyed the economy in Lebanon. Let’s not cry, go for opportunities.
“This is a vote of confidence on President Bola Tinubu’s oil policy. With more people like you, fewer people would cry”.
The governor of Delta State and other dignitaries also commended Emami for his investment, highlighting the job creation and economic benefits it brings.
Specifically, the Delta State Governor, Rt Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, who was represented by the State Commissioner for Oil and Ga, Chief Vincent Oyibode, commended Chief Emami for keying into the administration’s local investment drive, noting that the fuel station would create jobs for the people in the State.
The governor, however, called on other Deltans to emulate the gesture by investing in the state. “This has contributed to the economic boom of Delta state. The tank farm is a huge facility. We want more investment of this magnitude. Like the small scale business, it creates multiplier effects on the economy”.
The Chairman of Warri South Local Government Area, Dr. Michael Tidi, who addressed newsmen shortly after the facility was inaugurated, lauded Chief Ayirimi Emami for investing in Warri.
“In 2018, we called on sons and daughters of Warri South to invest in the town. This retail outlet will not only service the people of Warri but also provide jobs. It goes to show that Oborevwori is doing a lot to make businesses thrive and create the enabling environment for investors in Delta State.”
In his remarks, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of A&E Group, Chief Ayirimi Emami, expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the removal of fuel subsidy, as it promotes a competitive business environment.
Emami however, appealed to the President to address the challenges in transporting petroleum products to Warri, which affects the cost of fuel in the area, stressing the challenges of transporting petroleum products from Escravos to Warri.
“Taking off the subsidy is very good, it makes everyone go into a competitive business. But we still have a lot to do, some of the bottlenecks in the policy we have to remove them.
“Those of us that are traders in Warri are suffering a lot because of the Escravos bar mouth. Getting in, the Governor is aware, the president is aware, the cost of bringing products to Warri is more expensive than in Rivers and Lagos state because of our channel.
“Once that is done for us, you will see fuel everywhere at a cheaper rate because we have to put all these into our cost when ferrying products to Warri.
“We are selling for N640. You know the business fluctuates and the market is open.
We are going to give the actual price. A&E, we don’t manipulate our pumps, it’s what you pay for that you get”, he assured.
The Member Representing Warri Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Chief Thomas Ereyitomi, Chief Mike Odeli, Chief Vincent Okudolor and other Chiefs in Agbarha–Warri, representative of Papa Ayodele Oritsejafor, Reverend Sam Akpoviroro, and other prominent personalities, graced the colorful ceremony.
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