24th January, 2022
The Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, has said President Muhammadu Buhari is not in support of subsidy removal on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) popularly called petrol.
Sylvia who spoke when he appeared on Channels Television’s Newsnight programme said President Buhari is against removing subsidy because of the effect it would have on citizens.
“I will tell you categorically that at this moment, the complete removal of subsidy is not on our plate at all,” said Sylva.
“The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is not in support of removing subsidy at this time.
“Of course, we all know that it is a desirable policy direction. Of course, we know that it will have some impacts on the people and that is why we are trying to work out some of those things, he said.
“Until those details are worked out properly with (the organised) labour, and with all the stakeholders in the sector, we will not remove the subsidy. At this moment, it is not on our plate, I can tell you that.
Sylvia said the Federal Government planned to complete consultations before coming out with a clear policy direction on the matter.
The Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, had in November last year hinted that Nigeria would effect the complete removal of fuel subsidy in June 2022 and replace them with a N5000-a-month transportation grant to the poorest Nigerians.
Senate President Ahmed Lawan last week doused tension that President Buhari has not directed anybody to remove fuel subsidy.