President Bola Tinubu, Wednesday, met with major oil marketers at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja where he directed the National Economic Council (NEC) led by Vice President Kashim Shettima to begin the process of working on interventions to ameliorate the impact of fuel subsidy removal on Nigerians.
The oil marketers were led by Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State.
The President’s meeting with the oil marketers comes amid the controversy and protests trailing the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit known as petrol.
Addressing State House correspondents after the meeting, Abiodun said the marketers were in the Presidential Villa to express solidarity with the President for his bold decision to end subsidy payment.
He noted that Tinubu’s action showed his determination and courage to remove the haemorrhage that had bedevilled the country for decades.
The governor said that while there would be some discomfort on the part of the people, the move would eventually pay off as there can be no gains without pains.
Recall that Tinubu during his inaugural speech on May 29 at the Eagle Square in Abuja announced the removal of subsidy payment on petrol. The President said that the immediate past administration of Muhammadu Buhari did not make provisions for subsidy in the 2023 budget beyond June.
