There seems confusion over the proposed strategies by the Federal Government to exit fuel subsidy by 2022.

While the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan confirmed that President Muhammadu Buhari has not directed any of his authorities to get rid of fuel subsidy on account of the prevailing financial challenge, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed on Wednesday varied with the latter’s position, stating he was uncertain if the presidency had actually directed otherwise.

Mohammed who is the representative of the federal government, however, assured to start a fact-finding mission to determine the true position of the federal government on the elimination of petroleum subsidy.

He stated this while instruction State House Correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) conference commanded by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, at the governmental rental property, Abuja on Wednesday.

His response was in response to a question that he ought to supply clearness on the alleged strategies to get rid of aid given that the 2022 budget plan has no aid provision beyond June 2022.

Mohammed stated he would need to consult with the pertinent government agencies to determine the specific position of the aid elimination problem.

“As for the removal of fuel aid, I think you will offer me time to speak with pertinent departments and ministries and I will return to you,” he said.

DAILY POST remembers the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, describing in October last year, said the federal government only made arrangement for fuel aid for the very first 6 months of 2022 due to the fact that it was seriously considering total deregulation of the sector.

“In our 2022 budget, we just factored in subsidy for the very first half of the year; the 2nd half of the year, we are taking a look at total deregulation of the sector, conserving forex and possibly making more from the oil and gas market,” she had actually stated.

The Senate President who satisfied with Buhari on Tuesday confided in reporters that the President had actually not directed anybody in his administration to execute the elimination of petroleum aid.

The Senate President had actually stated: “Well, it will be of interest to Nigerians to hear what I came to go over with Mr. President amongst a number of other things.

“Many of us are really concerned with the recent agitations, demonstrations and numerous residents were so worried, our constituents throughout the nation are very worried that the federal government will eliminate the petroleum aid. And for us, as parliamentarians, as lawmakers representing individuals of Nigeria, this need to be of interest to us”.

Beyond these debates, the Group Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation NNPC, Mele Kyari had stated the government was indeed overloaded with offering subsidies for day-to-day fuel usage of the residents.