I Regret Supporting Subsidy Removal – UN Adviser, Prof. Jeffery Sachs

Some details have emerged about how the Goodluck Jonathan Presidency misled international figures and experts into endorsing its now controversial removal of subsidy on petrol which initially saw the price per liter rising to N141 with the resulting labour strike and street protests.

One of such international figures is the Special Adviser to UN secretary General on MDG, Professor Jeffrey Sachs, an American professor of economics, who visited President Jonathan after the removal of fuel subsidy and was reported to have praised the decision as a good move.

Sachs then commended the subsidy removal policy as “a bold and correct policy”. He described the government intervention programmes in rural development in the past 24 months as innovative.

But Sachs’ position has since shifted following
the outrage expressed about his comments
on micro blogging site Twitter.
In reaction to continuing criticisms on
Sunday, he wrote on @JeffDSachs that “I do
my homework very carefully in general, for 30
years, but not on this one. A mistake I
regret…I see better that I don’t know the
specific details on the subsidy to be accurate.
I’m listening and learning. Most important
thing I could say is government must build
trust with civil society based on anti-
corruption, fairness, accountability.”

On whether he was not told about the level of
corruption in Nigeria before endorsing
removal of subsidy, Sachs said “They didn’t
have to tell me. I’m very heartened to see
civil society rising against corruption. Yes, I
walked out of a meeting and into a sound
bite! Not good. The situation is complex and
deep reforms are needed…I’m sorry that I’ve
been misinterpreted. It’s hard to be heard
accurately in this noisy world!”

He assured those bombarding him with
questions that he understood what they are
going through in Nigeria. “I’ve noticed how
the politicians barely care about the
universities. Sad and costly for Nigeria!” He
said.

The Professor of Economics said he had no
idea about the subsidy removal until it
happened, as he was “not in regular contact
on macro policy.”

Related posts:

1. United Nations Commends Goodluck Jonathan On Fuel Subsidy Removal, As European Union Passes Vote Of Confidence
2. Message from NLC on Fuel Subsidy removal?!
3. NLC To Mobilise Nigerians Against Fuel Subsidy Removal