The Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, has distanced President Muhammadu Buhari from the speculations surrounding the removal of fuel subsidy.
Sylva disclosed that Buhari does not support the removal of fuel subsidy.
Featuring on Channel’s Newsnight, the minister said the Federal Government planned to complete consultations before coming out with a clear policy direction on fuel subsidy removal.
Sylva said. “I will tell you categorically that at this moment, the complete removal of subsidy is not on our plate at all.
“The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is not in support of removing subsidy at this time.”
Recall that the Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, had last year hinted at the Federal Government removing the subsidy on fuel.
Ahmad had said the government would commence the complete removal of fuel subsidy in June 2022 and replace same with a N5000-a-month transportation grant to the poorest Nigerians.
However, the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, last week said Buhari has not directed relevant authorities to remove fuel subsidy.
