From Victor Osula, Abuja
Federal Government on Thursday U- turned on its plan to remove fuel subsidy by June this year.
Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Ahmed Zaniab said the government has suspended the action, shortly after the National Economic Council, NEC, meeting, chaired by the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday.
According to her, the NEC, which comprises state governors deliberated on the issue extensively and came to the conclusion that it will be unwise to remove subsidy so as soon after the inauguration of the new administration and thereby frustrate it’s smooth take off.
She also noted that the existing committee that has been discussing the fuel subsidy issue needed to be expanded to enable more input from concerned Nigerians.
Obviously smarting from the threat by labour to resist the removal, the Minister said there was need to interface with the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and more engagement with the petroleum marketers’ association and other stakeholders.
