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No Removal Of Fuel Subsidy Soon – Govt

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No Removal Of Fuel Subsidy Soon - Govt

There will not be any removal of fuel subsidy anytime soon because of the difficulties involved in the process, according to the Federal Government.

The Minister of Finance, Hajia Zainab Ahmed spoke at an interactive meeting with the Senate President, Dr Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan and other principal officers of the Senate.

The minister said the Federal government was initially looking at the removal of fuel subsidy from July this year, after which they made provisions in the 2022 budget to cushion the effect but noted that the timing had become a huge challenge.

READ ALSO: Buhari Didn’t Tell Anyone To Remove Fuel Subsidy – Lawan

The minister’s disclosure was at the backdrop of concerns raised by the Senate president who pointed out that there should be caution on the issue of subsidy removal so as not to deepen the economic hardships of Nigerians.

Lawan said he visited President Muhammadu Buhari over plans to remove fuel subsidy and so many factors were taken into consideration with a view to ensuring that the citizens are not at the receiving end.

In her further reaction, the finance minister said her ministry consulted widely and discovered that the federal government could not go ahead with the removal plans until some steps were taken to protect the interest of Nigerians.

She said: “Let me start by stating that we did make a provision in the 2022 budget and which means that there will be fuel subsidy from July.

“After consultations with various stakeholders, it became apparent that the timing became a big problem and Mr President didn’t want that. We are looking at various means including putting our four refineries in order and allowing Dangote Refinery to come on stream.

“It means that we shall submit supplementary budget from July going forward.”

The Senate president had earlier said the country was confronted with the fuel subsidy liabilities but cautioned that the timing of its removal was inappropriate.

He called for the cooperation of stakeholders in the petroleum industry to cooperate with the government on any step that would be taken, should there be a need to remove fuel subsidy or not, insisting that there was no confusion in government circles.

He also appealed to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), to shelve their planned protest noting that any step taken by the FG with regard to fuel subsidy would be in the interest of the country.

Lawan said: “Admittedly the burden of subsidy is huge and massive and there is a need to do away with it. It needs the cooperation of all of us even though the economy is slowing.

“The issue of removal of subsidy should be done with utmost care and the timing should be such the impact would not deepen our woes and Mr. President needs the cooperation of all of us.

“The Minister of Finance is here because she is the one that will provide the money and we must find suitable time and means of getting the issue of removing fuel subsidy finally.

“If we are saying this is not the appropriate time, it should be agreed by all of us so that there won’t be confusion anywhere.

READ ALSO: Govt To Remove Fuel Subsidy By 2022

“I appeal to NLC, TUC to shelve the idea of mass protest. It is unnecessary because the removal of fuel subsidy is a necessity.”

In attendance at the meeting were the Group Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Limited, Mr. Mele Kyari, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipreye Sylva and chief executive officers of the petroleum downstream and upstream sectors.

 

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Breaking: Appeal Court Retains Adeleke As Osun Governor

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BREAKING: Adeleke Freezes Osun Accounts , Reverses Appointments After Swearing In As Governor
Governor Adeleke

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has vacated the tribunal judgement that nullified the election of Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State.

The appellate court, in a unanimous decision by a three-member panel of Justices, on Friday held that the appeal Adeleke lodged to challenge his sack by the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, was meritorious.

Aside from setting aside the judgement of the tribunal, the court, in its lead judgement that was delivered by Justice Mohammed Lawal, awarded N500, 000 cost against the All Progressive Congress, APC, and its candidate, Gboyega Oyetola

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BREAKING: PDP Suspends Anyim, Fayose

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Anyim and Fayose

Former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose; former president of the Senate, Pius Anyim; Prof Dennis Ityavyar and Aslam Aliyu were on Thursday suspended from the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).

The PDP made the suspension on Thursday after an extensive review of the affairs of the party, pursuant to the provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017).

The PDP also referred the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, to the National Disciplinary Committee over his reported involvement in anti-party activities.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba.

“The PDP urges all leaders, critical stakeholders and teeming members of our party across the country to remain united and focused at this critical time,” the statement added.

 

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BREAKING: Ekweremadu, Wife Found Guilty Of Organ-trafficking In UK

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Ekweremadu and his wife

A United Kingdom court has found former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, 60, his wife Beatrice, 56, and Dr Obinna Obeta, 50,  guilty of an organ-trafficking plot, which saw them bring a 21-year-old man to the UK

They were convicted of conspiring to exploit the man from Lagos for his kidney, reports the BBC.

Prosecutors told the Old Bailey the organ was to be removed and given to the couple’s daughter, Sonia, aged 25.

She was cleared of the same charge.

The victim, a street trader from Lagos, was brought to the UK last year to provide a kidney in an £80,000 private transplant at the Royal Free Hospital in London.

They were later arrested at the airport while trying to leave the UK.

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