Subsidy removal: Savings ‘ll be channelled to enterprising projects, policies —Lawmaker
“There is a two- or three-trillion-dollar fuel subsidy every year that you cannot account for; the beneficiaries of this fuel subsidy are not the average Nigerian, but a few cliques of people and perhaps the surrounding countries,” he added.
Sen. Shuaib Salisu, the lawmaker representing Ogun Central Senatorial District, has assured that savings from the fuel subsidy removal would be channelled to initiatives and policies that would bring succour to the people.
Salisu gave the assurance on the sidelines of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Lagos State Unit, annual conference held on Sunday at the University of Lagos (UNILAG).
He said that the decision to remove fuel subsidies under President Bola Tinubu might be painful, but it was something that was required.
“The President is also conscious of the fact that there is a need for immediate palliative care,” he said.
“We will ensure, as the Federal Legislators, that the needful is done to bring succour, deepen the economy, and expand the opportunity for our people, so that we can take more people out of poverty.
“We are appealing to our people to bear it. The situation is painful, but we will make sure that the temporary pain we are experiencing because of the fuel subsidy will go away down the line.
“There is a two- or three-trillion-dollar fuel subsidy every year that you cannot account for; the beneficiaries of this fuel subsidy are not the average Nigerian, but a few cliques of people and perhaps the surrounding countries,” he added.
The Senator said that adequate and necessary measures would also be put in place by the National Assembly to ensure that the palliative gets to the targeted beneficiaries.