The commission highlighted that the Nigerian National
Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) claims of spending N8,480,204,553,608.13 for
fuel subsidy since January 1, 2022, to date has not yet been reconciled.
Describing the removal as long overdue, the RMAFC Chairman,
Mr Mohammed Bello Shehu, emphasized that fuel subsidies pose a major challenge
to the economic growth and development of the country.
He stated, “The country can no longer sustain fuel subsidies
whose demerits far outweigh its benefits to the citizenry. It is saddening to
note that since January 1, 2022, to date, the Nigerian National Petroleum
Company Limited (NNPCL) has not been contributing to the Federation Account due
to the claimed subsidy payments.
The total amount withheld by the NNPCL as claimed subsidies
for this period amounted to N8,480,204,553,608.13 as reported by the Office of
the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF), which is yet to be reconciled
by the RMAFC, OAGF, and NNPCL.”
Mr Shehu emphasized that the lack of transparency in subsidy
transactions and the global determination of crude oil prices make it unwise to
sustain phantom subsidy payments at the expense of other critical sectors of
the economy.
He recalled that the Commission has consistently expressed
its position on the issue of subsidy removal since the time of the late Hamman
Tukur, who chaired the Commission during the administration of former President
Olusegun Obasanjo.
As one of the 14 Federal Executive Bodies established by the
1999 Constitution (as amended), RMAFC has the constitutional mandate to monitor
the accruals to and disbursement of revenue from the Federation Account and
provide fiscal efficiency advice to the Federal and State Governments.
Mr Shehu hailed President Tinubu’s pronouncement on the removal
of fuel subsidy during his inaugural speech on May 29, 2023, emphasizing that
it is the appropriate step in the right direction.
He highlighted that the removal will eliminate uncertainty
surrounding the subsidy regime and free up funds for critical national
development projects such as affordable transport systems, investment in the
education and healthcare sectors, infrastructural development, and the
resuscitation of domestic refineries to reduce dependence on imported fuel.
The RMAFC Chairman also commended the administration of
former President Muhammadu Buhari for creating an enabling environment for the
successful take-off of the world’s largest private refinery built by Alhaji
Aliko Dangote. He expressed hope that the refinery’s operationalization would
lead to hassle-free oil production and distribution in the absence of the
subsidy regime.
While praising President Tinubu for his courage and
political will in addressing the issue of fuel subsidy, Mr Shehu urged the new
administration to devise strategies to cushion the impact of the new policy.
He also called for deterrent measures to be taken against
economic saboteurs who have contributed to the nation’s adversity in accordance
with the existing laws of the federation.
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