Wogu takes campaign for subsidy removal to NASS: We will hear from Labour and govt before taking position - NASS Committees

[DT]

 



The Minister of Labour and Productivity, Emeka Wogu, has taken the campaign for removal of fuel subsidy to the National Assembly Committees on Labour, Employment and Productivity whom he told subsidy does not have direct impact on the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

 

In an interactive session with the Senate and House Committees on Labour, Employment and Productivity, the minister said, "I would tell you sir, that this policy of government is informed on the need to do the right thing as subsidy has weighed so much on the economy of this nation and it does not have direct impact on the poor masses." "It behooves on every Nigerian to think of the positive aspect of this policy, though there will be pains but adequate safety nets will be provided to cushion the effects"  

A release signed by Samuel Olowookere, Assistant Director (Press) in the ministry stated that, "the Minister expresses concern that the current quantum on subsidy has weighed so much on the economy of the Nation while calling on Nigerians not to throw the baby out with the bathing water but to critically look into the fuel subsidy removal policy as it will be of immense benefit to Nigerians."

 

"Chief Wogu added that the Federal Government will invest whatever accrues to her from the removal of fuel subsidy into projects and programmes that will impart directly on the masses and that such revenue will be judiciously managed and monitored by eminent Nigerians who are well respected in the society."

The minister told the committees that the ministry had already begun dialogue with the labour unions about the policy and what the government intended to do with the accruing revenue. "We have begun dialogue with labour unions with the intention to assuage ourselves on the real issues at stake and also to inform them (labour unions) in clear terms the programmes of Government in relation to the expected revenue from deregulation and how it would impact on the economy, especially the poor masses", he said.

However, Chairman Senate committee on Employment Labour and Productivity Senator Wilson Ake and his House of Representative counterpart Essien Ayi Ekpeyong said the National Assembly will hear from both organized labour and the government before taking a stand on the issue.

They appreciated the Minister's effort at ensuring industrial peace and harmony in the nation's labour sector, while expressing concern on the effective management of accrued revenue from the proposed deregulation.

DailyTrust