The Federal Government of Nigeria (FG) has made a decision to abort the plan to remove subsidy on fuel which was initially scheduled to take place in June 2023. The announcement was made during the valedictory Council meeting that was presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday 27th of April, 2023.
According to Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, the Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, the Council has agreed that further discussions are necessary, and additional preparatory work is required involving the federal government, states, and representatives of the incoming administration. She disclosed that the fuel subsidy must be removed earlier rather than later because it is not sustainable, however, the timing of the removal of fuel subsidy should not be now. The government will continue with all of the preparatory works that need to be done, and this preparatory work has to be done in consultation with the states and other key stakeholders including representatives of the incoming administration.
FG’s Statement on Fuel Subsidy Removal
“Council agreed that the timing of the removal of fuel subsidy should not be now. But that we should continue with all of the preparatory works that need to be done and that this preparatory has to be done in consultation with the states and other key stakeholders including representatives of the incoming administration.
“Council agreed that the fuel subsidy must be removed earlier rather than later because it is not sustainable. We cannot afford it anymore. But we have to do it in such a way that the impact of the subsidy is as much as possible, mitigated on the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
“So, this will require looking at alternatives to the fuel subsidy that needs to be planned for and subsequently put in place. But also what needs to be done to support the people that will be most affected as a result of the removal.”
Ahmed added that the FG will be working together with representatives of the states between now and June 2023. The government has a plan that they will start working on, putting the building blocks towards the eventual removal of the first subsidy.
“And if I may remind this forum that the budget for 2023 has a provision for fuel subsidy only up to June 2023 and also the Petroleum Industry Act has a provision that requires that all petroleum products must be deregulated 18 months after the effective date of the PMS removal and that that period is also up to June 2020.”
Furthermore, an image was attached to the announcement showing people queuing up at a petrol station. This indicates the impact that the removal of fuel subsidy could have on the Nigerian populace if it is not properly managed.
