Minister of Labour and Employment Dr. Chris Ngige said the incoming administration of Bola Tinubu will bear the brunt of providing palliative measures for millions of Nigerians ahead of the discontinuance of the petrol subsidy in June 2023. Ngige made the remarks during the 68th session of the State House Ministerial Briefing, organised by the Presidential Communications Team at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja. When asked about the issue, he explained, “The subsidy palliatives will be left to the incoming government to implement. We’ll simply hand over to them. Of course, we will give recommendations which they are at liberty to either accept or reject.”
Reports indicate that the Federal Government has not yet harmonised its efforts with the states to provide palliatives that will cushion the effect of the gradual removal of the petroleum subsidy scheduled for June. The government, however, said the concerned committees would soon conclude discussions with key stakeholders as the Buhari regime winds down.
Minister of State for Budget and National Planning Clem Agba addressed journalists on the matter, noting that a committee led by Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and the National Economic Council, which includes state governors, has been working to resolve the issue for over twelve months. Despite this effort, the committee has yet to harmonise its templates. Agba added, “For over a year 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 been working on this. The stage we are at now is finalising the suggestions that have come out from both the Federal Government and the governors’ side. This is something that will affect the entire nation, and they must ensure that everyone is carried along, both the federal and sub‑national governments.”
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