Professor Yemi Osinbajo’s office has disputed a circulating report alleging that the Vice President’s National Economic Council (NEC) has recommended a new price of N302/litre for fuel in Nigeria.
Mr. Laolu Akande, the Vice President’s spokesperson, indicated on Wednesday that his principal or the NEC had never made such a resolution or recommendation to the federal government.
He further stated that conversations on the withdrawal of fuel subsidies in the country are still ongoing, and that Nigerians should dismiss the claims made in the viral story.
He wrote on Twitter: “While there are indeed ongoing discussions on the issue of fuel subsidy, at no time has NEC made any such resolution as this report claims. Public discourse can be better served by seeking further clarification from relevant quarters on matters of such importance.”
According to previous reports, the National Economic Council, or NEC, has recommended to the Federal Government an increase in the price of gasoline at the pump.
According to the article, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the chairman of the council, made the suggestion in November 2021.
It is part of the Federal Government’s strategy to deregulate Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) prices and discontinue monthly subsidy payments, with conditions to promote fair competition in the market, according to the statement.
According to a separate source, the NEC ad-hoc committee issued recommendations to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on the appropriate pricing of PMS in Nigeria.
Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State is claimed to have submitted the report.
