From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has commended the federal government over suspension of the planned removal of subsidies on petroleum products.
APC, in a statement signed by the Secretary Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, noted that the federal government took into consideration the fact that the removal of subsidy at this time will heighten inflation and cause undue hardship on the citizenry.
The ruling further noted that it is glad that the government is already putting in place measures, particularly boosting the local refining capacities, to reduce the country’s reliance on expensive import of refined petroleum products.
‘Programmes and policies of government are meant to benefit the people. So, if the timing of the planned subsidy removal would cause hardship on citizens, then a review was necessary. We commend President Muhammadu Buhari for always putting the welfare and well being of Nigerians first as he has serially displayed in the implementation of programmes and policies of this administration.
‘In line with the new Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), the federal government is already putting in place measures, particularly boosting our local refining capacities to reduce the country’s reliance on expensive import of refined petroleum products. This will in due course usher in the eventual and full deregulation of the country’s petroleum sector.
‘Finally, the APC commends the cordial and healthy relations between the Executive and the 9th National Assembly which has ensured good governance. Nigerians have been the ultimate beneficiaries as displayed in the positive outcomes of the meeting between Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Dr Zainab Ahmed and the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan on the suspension of the planned subsidy removal,’ the statement read.