Tinubu Directs NEC To Release Palliatives To Cushion Subsidy Withdrawal Hardship

By Ayodele Oni

Nigerians will soon be relieved from burden occasioned by withdrawal of petroleum subsidy as President Bola Tinubu directed the National Economic Council (NEC) to kickstart the process of working on interventions to ameliorate the impact of subsidy removal on the people.

The Economic Council is led by the Vice President Kashim Shettima.

The subsidy withdrawal has caused hike in transport fares, food items and other commodities, which prompted some states government to reduce working days for public servants.

Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, disclosed this while briefing State House Correspondents after leading some major oil marketers on a courtesy call on President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Wednesday.

According to him, the marketers were in the presidential villa to express solidarity with the president for his bold decision to end subsidy payment.

Tinubu’s action, he said, showed his determination and courage to remove the hemorrhage that had bedevilled the country for decades.

Abiodun admitted that while there would be some discomfort on the part of the people, the move would eventually pay off. He said that there could be no gains without pains.

The marketers announced their intention to donate 50 to 100 50-seater mass transit, at the cost of about N10 billion, Compressed Natural Gas, (CNG) buses as a way to support the initiative to succeed, calling on other well meaning corporate bodies to do the same.