Abuja (dpa)- Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan ordered a cut of 25 percent in salaries of executive branch employees as he attempts to carry out his economic reforms amid growing unrest. Jonathan said in a nationwide broadcast Saturday that the move was necessary to reduce the cost of government, which includes the end to fuel subsidies. “The government is currently reviewing the number of committees, commissions and parastatals with overlapping responsibilities,” he said. “In the meantime, all ministries, departments and agencies must reduce their overhead expenses.” The president is facing street opposition over the decision to end the fuel subsidy, and renewed ethnic and religious violence in the north-eastern part of the country. Labor unions vowed to defy a court order banning a nationwide strike planned for Monday over the cancellation of the subsidies that is expected to double the price of petrol. Pleading for understanding, Jonathon said his new policies were aimed at improving the long-term economic health of the nation. “I understand fully well that deregulation is not a magic formula that will address every economic challenge,” he said. “But it provides a good entry point for transforming the economy, and for ensuring transparency and competitiveness in the oil industry, which is the mainstay of our economy.” Africa's largest crude oil producer imports more than 70 percent of its fuel for domestic consumption, due to lack of refineries. Hundreds of people were fleeing parts of the north-east after two days of violence by Muslim militants against Christian communities. The Boko Haram group, which opposes Christian and Western-style education, also warned all southerners to leave the northern region. More than two dozen people had died in the latest attacks in Adamawa state, prompting officials to impose a curfew Saturday. BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/HFoc1 Tags: Boko Haram, Nigeria, Spending, Tension Section: Business, Latest News, West Africa
