Minister Says FG Yet To Harmonise Deliberations On Palliatives For Petrol Subsidy Removal

The minister of state for budget and national planning, Clem Agba has disclosed that relevant committees on post-petrol subsidy palliative measures have not harmonised their discussions.

Agba made this known on Wednesday while addressing journalists after the federal executive council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The federal government budgeted N3.35 trillion for petrol subsidy payments in the first half of the year, after which the subsidy will be scrapped.

The minister said the committee, headed by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, had been working with the national economic council (NEC) for over a year on palliatives that will help to cushion the effects of the subsidy removal.

Agba said the ministry of petroleum resources and other relevant agencies have also been working on the issue.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

Agba said the council also approved Nigeria agenda 2050 which aims to make Nigeria a high-income economy.