Vice-President Kashim Shettima says the federal government
would vigorously pursue the mass deployment of compressed natural gas (CNG)
vehicles in all states for public transportation.
Shettima spoke on Thursday while presiding over the National
Economic Council (NEC) meeting on the petrol subsidy removal, in Abuja.
The move was part of the resolutions reached at the fourth
NEC meeting, according to a statement by Olusola Abiola, director of
information, office of the vice-president.
The council’s decisions followed a presentation on
cushioning the effect of petrol subsidy removal by Chukwuma Soludo, Anambra
state governor, who spoke on behalf of the NEC ad hoc committee.
“We will also pursue
vigorously, the mass deployment of CNG-powered vehicles and establishment of
autogas conversion plants/kits in all states in the short-term,” Shettima was
quoted as saying.
“We will also deploy electric buses and cars with charging
infrastructure across the country.”
Although the vice-president did not state when these
resolutions would be fully implemented, he noted that the council decided to
support enhanced engagements between state governors and the leadership of the
labour unions across the states.
Shettima said the committee also proposed the provision of
cost-of-living allowances to civil servants in both the state and federal civil
services.
“The council agreed to support the federal government’s
efforts to scale up infrastructure, especially to give attention to fixing
dilapidated highway roads across the country,” he said.
“Other highlights of the NEC meeting are as follows:
outstanding balances at the end of June excess crude account — $473,754.57,
stabilisation account N27,524,857,142.27, development of natural resources fund
N98,421,834,602.86.
“Monthly statutory and exchange gain, non-oil revenues
balance as at January to June 2023 is N104,978,145,865.86; solid mineral
development fund (SMDF) balance as at January to June, 2023 is
N835,511,263.00.”
On the state budget support facility as at June 30, he said
that the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) outstanding liability
was N1,718,705,566,436.25.
Shettima said the presentation on revenue outlook made by
Muhammad Nami, chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), focused
on major revenue reforms implemented between 2020 and 2023.
“Four key areas highlighted include; restructuring tax
operations and administration, automation of tax administration, operational
processes, creating a customer-focused service, and creating a data-centric
institution,” the vice-president added.
On June 8, oil distributors under the aegis of the Depot and
Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) pledged to donate 100
compressed natural gas (CNG) buses to help mitigate the effects of petrol
subsidy removal.
The marketers, led by Winifred Akpani, the managing director
(MD) and chief executive officer (CEO) of Northwest Petroleum and Gas Company
Limited; made the commitment during a meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,
a week after the announced the removal of petrol subsidy.
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FG should think of a better ways of cushioning the effect of subsidy remover.
ReplyDeleteSuch as to make CNG as alternative to fuel, renovation of refinery and encourage modules refinery.every State government are buying vehicle for transportation and even FG want to buy.what would happen existing transporters,are they going out of business and what is the measure put in place for them.
Do you think they have reasonable ideas? Abegi, don't waste your time typing.
DeleteSo shall it be. Ameeeeeeen
ReplyDeleteClearly there was no plan before the borrowing. Ooo Agony, sorrow and pain.
ReplyDeleteStory for the gods. Confused and wicked set of people.
ReplyDelete