The Presidential Economic Advisory Council which is charged with the responsibility of advising the President on economic policy matters including fiscal analysis, economic growth and a range of internal and global economic issues working with relevant cabinet members and heads of monetary and fiscal agencies has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to remove subsidy on petrol and adopt a pricing regime that reflects the cost of the commodity.
The Economic Advisory Council chaired by Prof. Doyin Salami was set up in 2019 to replace the regime’s defunct Economic Management Team led by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.
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As part of its presentation at its sixth regular meeting with the President last Friday, the Council adviced that petrol subsidy be removed. It also warned that the subsidy regime would worsen solvency of state governments.
The council drew Buhari’s attention to three issues that it said required urgent attention. They include the need for policy clarity with regard to fuel subsidies which it said would help resolve the dilemma which rising crude oil prices present; the worsening security environment which it said had adversely affected food production leading to higher prices; and the need for the Petroleum Industry Bill to encourage investment in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
According to the council, rising crude oil prices improve public sector revenue and reserves of foreign currency while higher crude oil prices mean that the cost of imported petrol should be higher than the N167/litre being paid at filling stations.
It noted that as there was no provision for subsidy payments in the 2021 budget, such payments would have to be done by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation thereby further reducing revenues accruing to the Federation Account.
The council stated, “The solvency of many state governments will worsen – this could take us back to 2015 when the Federal Government had to provide ‘bailout’ funding to the states.”
The Salami-led group added that restoration of subsidy made investment in Nigeria’s downstream oil sector unattractive.
The document read, “Council advises as follows: there is an urgent need for clarity and consistency in petrol pricing policy.
“Subsidy on petrol be removed and a pricing regime which reflects the cost of petrol adopted.
“It is noteworthy that with the exception of petrol, the prices of all other petroleum products have been deregulated; the cost of retaining the subsidy outweighs the benefits, or that the benefits of removing the subsidy are far greater than the costs.
“Data published by the National Bureau of Statistics also show that petrol prices are not the same across Nigeria.
“In March 2021, petrol prices range between N162.17 and N200.87/litre –the highest being in Lagos State whilst the lowest prices are obtained in Adamawa State.
“Council is especially concerned that in addition to further worsening government revenue, re-introduction of subsidies will jeopardise investment in the oil sector and also create uncertainty about general government policy on pricing.”
On the issue of security, the council noted that there was a consensus on the worsening of the security situation in Nigeria. It listed the sources of security challenges to include Boko Haram and ethno-religious conflicts; political violence; economic and resource-based violence; organised violent groups; and herders/farmers /settlers clashes.
It noted that violence had had impact on human capital and on poverty and vulnerability while physical capital and infrastructure are often damaged; while business and investment suffer. The economic cost of insecurity was therefore estimated at 2.6 per cent of GDP in 2020, or $10.3 billion.
Proffering solution to the problem of insecurity, the council advised the FG to review strategy and defeat Boko Haram decisively, as a decisive defeat is necessary to permanently keep the insurgency at bay.
It further advised the Federal Government to among others: “Improve the implementation of policies aimed at improving access and quality of education in underserved areas.
“Implement existing law on compulsory attendance of primary school to reduce the number of out of school children, a key recruiting ground for thugs.
“Resolve grievances around exclusion from access to power, opportunity, and representation through dialogue.
“To be effective, government should involve civil society, the private sector, regional and international organisations focused on peace and conflict resolution in roundtable discussions aimed at resolution of grievances.”
While taking note of the progress of the Petroleum Industry Bill through the National Assembly. The Council said, “The importance of this bill to the national economy cannot be overstated.
“When enacted, this law will have a profound effect beyond the oil and gas sector.
“Potentially, this bill could provide a basis for building and industrial economy for Nigeria.
“Implementation of the Paris Agreement has seen a continuous global transition away from fossil fuels towards renewables as primary energy source.
“The PIB will join the National Petroleum Policy and the National Gas policy in defining the environment for investment in the oil and gas sector and also influence sentiment around Nigeria as an investment destination.”
I would be noted that the statement released by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, at the end of the meeting on Friday, the presidency was silent on the issue of removal of petrol subsidy from the issues raised by the council the two other issues – security and the PIB were mentioned.
