Lawmakers condemn call for removal of Petroleum Subsidy

Lawmakers condemn call for removal of Petroleum Subsidy
Obiora Ani, Abuja

Some Nigerian lawmakers have joined the civil society and other Nigerians in condemning the call by the Governors' Forum for the removal of the Petroleum Subsidy to enable them pay the 18,000 Naira (about 116 Dollars) new minimum wage recently approved for civil servants in the country.

The new minimum wage was signed into law by President Goodluck Jonathan in April.

The Governors of the 36 state in Nigeria at their inaugural meeting in Abuja recently said they could only pay the new minimum wage if the government removed the petroleum subsidy.

Instituting effective services

Briefing Senate correspondents at the National Assembly in Abuja, Senator Ahmed Lawan, from Yobe State, North East Nigeria, said the removal of petroleum subsidy was contrary to the spirit and intendment of the provisions of the new wage Act.

“I am convinced that some responsibilities of the federal government should be devolved to the states for better, effective and more efficient provision of services to the people however, I believe that we cannot afford to further pauperize an already impoverished citizenry,” Lawan said.

Necessary review

He noted theat the Governors forum should have emphasized and insisted on the review and amendment of the current revenue allocation formula, which he observed, should have been revised twice by now. He said: “the current formula was a revision of the law by an executive order signed by the former President Obasanjo which took effect from May 29, 2002.”

He noted that majority of Nigerian’s felt it was necessary that the formula was revised. “I am convinced beyond any reasonable doubt that this is the way out for the states and indeed Nigerians.” 

He called on the presidency, the National Assembly and the Nigeria Governors forum and indeed all major stakeholders to work together for the amendment of the current revenue allocation formula for the benefit of the Nigerian electorates.

Williams