The presidency and governors have reportedly distanced selves from a planned hike in fuel pump prices from N165 to N302 per liter next month. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has spoken out against the planned removal of the petroleum subsidy, which the National Economic Council (NEC) ad hoc committee advising the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on the appropriate pricing of premium motor spirit (PMS) said would save the country N250 billion per month.
The ad hoc committee, led by Kaduna State governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufia, is said to have suggested a petrol price of N302 per liter, which will be enforced by February. The presidency, on the other hand, denied that a resolution like this was passed at NEC. NEC sessions are presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
His media aide Laolu Akande, who also coordinates NEC media activities, in a tweet on his handle, @akandeoj noted that: “While there are indeed ongoing discussions on the issue of fuel subsidy, at no time has NEC made any such resolution. Public discourse can be better served by seeking further clarification from relevant quarters on matters of such importance.”
Nigerian governors, who met in Abuja on Wednesday night, dismissed the report that they were the ones pushing for an increase in the pump price of fuel. Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), the umbrella body of the governors, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who briefed journalists at end of the meeting, argued that it is not within the mandate of sub-national body, such as the NGF, “to decide on what happens to PMS price.”
According to the Ekiti governor, “the National Economic Council, chaired by the Vice President has been dealing with this issue over time.”
