Former Presidential Spokesperson Disagrees with Dangote on Fuel Subsidy Removal
Written by Olakunle Oke on September 24, 2024
Former Presidential Spokesperson Disagrees with Dangote on Fuel Subsidy Removal
Dr. Doyin Okupe, a former presidential spokesperson, has expressed his disagreement with Alhaji Aliko Dangote’s proposal to completely remove fuel subsidies in Nigeria. Okupe believes that such a move would be detrimental to the Nigerian economy, especially for the poor.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Okupe argued that petrol is a crucial economic resource for Nigerians, regardless of their socioeconomic status. He emphasized that the country’s recent emergence of local refineries presents an opportunity to provide some relief to Nigerians through subsidized fuel prices.
Okupe suggested that the government could allocate a portion of its daily crude oil production for domestic consumption, allowing local refineries to purchase it at a discounted rate. This would help reduce the cost of fuel at the pump, providing some economic relief to Nigerians.
While Okupe commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for its bold steps in removing fuel subsidies and unifying exchange rates, he believes that the time is now ripe to offer some concessions to the Nigerian people. He emphasized that the presence of local refineries can help mitigate the impact of subsidy removal on the population.
