Hardship: Senate Seeks Measures to Mitigate Effects of Petrol Subsidy Removal

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The Senate, through its Committee on Finance, has asked the executive arm of government to put in place, strong measures in place to mitigate the negative impact of the petrol subsidy removal on the average Nigerian.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Sani Musa, declared in a statement in Abuja late yesterday that while the Red Chamber supported the removal of fuel subsidy, there was the urgent need to reduce the negative impacts on innocent Nigerians.
The expected mitigating measures that should be put in place according to the Senator,  includes strategic investments in social welfare programmes, improvements in security, and support for economic growth at all levels.

The senator  made the call in a personally signed statement to  clarify his  support for subsidy removal and commitment to addressing citizens’ concerns .
The statement read: “When I said removing subsidy is the best thing that happened to Nigeria, my assertion was not intended to overlook or diminish the economic challenges faced by Nigerians.
“Rather, it was a statement grounded in the reality that, for years, subsidy payments had lined the pockets of a few powerful individuals at the expense of the nation.
“Hundreds of billions of naira that should have been channelled into vital infrastructure, education, and healthcare ended up benefiting a few privileged, depriving over 230 million Nigerians of necessary resources and opportunities.

“The removal of the subsidy is a step towards eliminating systemic corruption and redirecting resources to where they are truly needed.  However, I agree that it must be accompanied by strong measures to mitigate the impact on everyday Nigerians.”
Musa noted that this includes strategic investments in social welfare programmes, improvements in security, and support for economic growth at all levels, explaining that these have been his focus.

“I am deeply aware of the pressing issues of insecurity affecting even my senatorial district for many years and other parts of the country. I have not and will not remain silent on these matters, and I am committed to amplifying our voices and pushing for comprehensive strategies that address safety, economic empowerment, and equitable development,” he added.