BUHARI NEVER DIRECTED FUEL SUBSIDY REMOVAL, SAYS LAWAN
of TUC, Mr. Quadri Olaleye, said the group was not against the removal of subsidy if it would yield positive results for the economy. He, nonetheless, expressed concerns over the palliative measures put in place by government to cushion the adverse impact of the proposed removal.
Speaking at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and inauguration of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) in Abuja, he however, questioned government's sincerity over subsidy removal.
He said: "Please note that TUC is not against the removal of the fuel subsidy if it will yield positive results. Rather, we are inquisitive as to what the government has to offer following the removal.
"How can we trust the government and be certain that they will actually remove it this time around, because in the past, they have claimed to remove the so-called 'subsidy'.
"How can what has been removed be removed again? Will there be construction and utilisation of modular refineries as the government has previously promised and failed to deliver?
"Will there be rehabilitation of existing moribund refineries? What will the government do to put an end to dependence on imported fuel? It is imperative to note these questions because we need adequate answers on what the government has to offer as failed promises from the government have become the order of the day."
He said in the event that the subsidy was removed, the government should focus more on expenditures that are beneficial to the economy rather than projects that generate losses.
According to the TUC president, "There should be establishment of modular refineries and construction of functioning refineries in the country. Proactive committees must be set up to check, balance, and ensure successful execution of projects and to generally oversee activities.
"The moribund refineries must be active and we must put an end to the counterproductive acts of importing petroleum products when we can refine here and sell at a competitive price.
"You will agree with me that Nigeria has the capacity to meet these demands and even diversify like advanced countries but that will not happen because the current political class does not want it."
Earlier, the new IPMAN President, Alhaji Debo Ahmed, urged the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited to ensure disbursement of outstanding briefing claims owed marketers.
He also identified current insecurity across the country, as major challenges confronting members in lifting petroleum products from depots and called for government's action to address the situation.