…as Senate President meets with stakeholders, appeals to Labour unions

ABUJA – The executive has assured Nigerians that it will not be removing the fuel subsidy regime until it put all machineries in place to cushion the effect of its removal on the country especially its vulnerable citizens.

The Minister of Finance, Hajia Zainab Ahmed made this known during a visit to the Senate President on Monday ahead of the planned nation wide strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress.

According to the Minister, provisions were made in the 2022 budget on the fuel subsidy removal but after the budget was passed, consultations were made with stakeholders and it was discovered that there is still high inflation in the country.

She equally noted that, modalities will be put in place to ensure the effects of the removal is lessened, noting that, there would be rehabilitation of the whole refinery in the country that will ensure refining of products locally.

She therefore said that the possible date for the removal of the fuel subsidy would be June, 2022.
According to the minister, discussion is on going between labour unions to ensure the removal is done gradually in such a manner that it doesn’t affect the citizens.

The Senate President Ahmed Lawan expressed concern over the issue of the subsidy removal especially as it affects the ordinary citizens.

He said, “the issue of subsidy removal should be handle with utmost care. This must involve proper planning, and appropriate timing such that the impact & consequences will not add to the hardship being faced by citizens”.

” Make no mistake when the govt says this is not the time for the removal, because subsidy has been abused and we must find a way to handle it so as to cushion the effect; so that Nigerians do not suffer when its eventually removed”.

The Senate President also expressed concern about the planned strike by the Labour and Trade union Congresses and appealed to them to sheath their sword as the government is working assiduously to ensure that citizens are taken care of.

“We are going to work together so that our people do not suffer but benefit”, he added.

Also, the Minister of state for Petroleum, Timipreye Sylva said the legislature should put in place laws that will ensure smooth removal of fuel subsidy regime.