Experts Back Targeted Relief as Atiku’s Petrol Subsidy Proposal Sparks Fresh Debate
Energy experts and economists have urged the Federal Government to ease the hardship caused by petrol subsidy removal through targeted and transparent interventions. They warned against returning to the old blanket subsidy system, which was linked to corruption and heavy fiscal costs. Atiku Abubakar has proposed a capped, time-bound and independently audited model that would offer qualifying local refineries crude at preferential prices. The refineries would be required to supply verified volumes of fuel to the Nigerian market under a transparent pricing formula. Experts said the proposal could lower fuel prices if properly managed, but raised concerns about crude production levels, vested interests and whether refiners would pass savings on to consumers. Others called for direct support for vulnerable households, mass transit, jobs, cheaper credit and clear public tracking of subsidy savings. The Federal Government and the APC oppose restoring any form of subsidy, saying the policy change has freed funds for infrastructure and social programmes. The debate remains centred on how Nigerians can feel the benefits of the savings without reviving the failures of the former regime.
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