Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has called on the Federal Government to review its fuel subsidy removal policy in response to recent verified claims suggesting that Bola Tinubu’s government is still making payments for the subsidy.
Despite President Bola Tinubu’s declaration to end the subsidy era upon his inauguration, assertions from the World Bank and Robert Dickerman, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Pinnacle Oil and Gas Limited, suggest ongoing payments by the Federal Government.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Falana highlighted the need for the government to address these claims promptly and reconsider the current policy. He expressed concern over the lack of denial from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited regarding the restoration of fuel subsidy.
“Curiously, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited has not deemed it fit to deny the serious allegation that fuel subsidy has been restored. Since there is no provision for fuel subsidy in the 2023 and 2024 Appropriation Acts, the federal government should, without any further delay, confirm or deny the serious allegation and end the opacity surrounding the importation of fuel from foreign countries,” urged Falana.
He further recalled the administration’s announcement of subsidy removal, followed by substantial spending on “under-recovery” amounting to N11 trillion over 8 years. Falana questioned the logic behind urging Nigerians to endure the hardship caused by subsidy removal and called for a review, particularly if the Federal Government is spending a substantial amount monthly on fuel subsidy. “If the federal government is spending as much as N1 trillion on fuel subsidy per month, it is high time the policy was reviewed in the interest of the Nigerian people,” emphasized Falana.
The call comes as a response to the need for transparency and a reevaluation of the subsidy removal policy to ensure the welfare of the citizens.