The Nigerian government is exploring options to remove subsidies without disrupting livelihoods in the country.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Amb. Gabriel Aduda, made this known during a recent briefing at the Nigeria International Energy Summit, News About Nigeria reports.
According to Aduda, the government is committed to removing subsidies but cannot be specific until all indices are considered to ensure that the effect would not be harsh on average Nigerians.
He added that the government is taking a close look at how best to achieve subsidy removal without disrupting the entire ecosystem of livelihood in Nigeria.
The Nigerian government is aware of the importance of removing subsidies but also understands the greater importance of the citizens.
Aduda said the government is committed to ensuring that the buffers are in place and that forex is made available for imports.
The government will also ensure that supply is available for a minimum of six months to make disruption minimal.
The 2024 Nigeria International Energy Summit will begin with a session on the fallouts of suggestions made in 2023.
Aduda said that the government is committed to ensuring that the recommendations of the NEIS form part of policy implementation.
He said “We totally understand the importance of removal of subsidy but we also understand the greater importance of the citizens in the scheme of things.
“As we speak we are still taking a very close look at how best to achieve subsidy without disrupting the entire ecosystem of livelihood in Nigeria.
“Because that is our responsibility as government. We have to ensure that the buffers are in place and forex is made available for imports. “We have to ensure that supply is available for a minimum of six months to make disruption minimal,” he assured.
