By Harry Awurumibe, Editor Abuja Bureau
As Nigerians brace up for the eventual removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirits (PMS) in three months time, the federal government has revealed that no conclusion has been reached on how to mitigate its effect on citizens.
Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Mr. Clement Agba told State House Correspondents on Wednesday, after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, that notwithstanding the works of the Committee headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo for about a year now, nothing definite has been agreed on the matter.
Agba who was fielding questions on the the consequences of the subsidy removal without necessary palliatives to lesson the impact, however expressed optimism that the committee working with state governors will arrive at a common position on the matter.
Speaking further, Agba said there is no timeline for the Osinbajo’s committee to conclude the discussion which, according to him, is ongoing.
He recalled that under the federal government’s 2022 to 2023 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework, a proposal of N3.3trillion was made for fuel subsidy between January and June 2023.
According to Agba: “For over a year plus now, the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo has been leading a committee working on this and the National Economic Council also has a committee that has also been working on this.
“So, the stage that we are in now is how to finalize the suggestions that have come out from both the federal government and the governors side.
“Like you know, it is something that is going to affect the entire nation.
“They will just have to ensure that everyone is carried along, that is both the federal and subnational governments.”
