THE Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to Nigeria’s President, Bayo Onanuga, has stated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government did not lie about fuel subsidies instead, subsidy provisions have disappeared from Nigeria’s budget and were not included in the Supplementary Budget of 2023.

Onanuga made this statement on his official X page, addressing claims that the current government has been unfaithful to its policy of no longer paying fuel subsidies since President Tinubu announced the deregulation of the PMS sector on May 29, 2023.

This is coming as the Dangote refinery begins rolling out its first shipment of petrol to the local market today, following days of fuel queues in the country and upward adjustment of PMS pump price to N897 per litre today.

According to the post, Onanuga said, “I have read a series of articles attacking the Federal Government for not telling the truth about fuel subsidy payments, following NNPC Limited’s admission that it owes suppliers some $6 billion.

“Some of the stories have been written with relish, as the authors believe they have uncovered significant scoops.

“The truth is that there is no discovery. No lie uncovered. The government has been faithful to its policy of no longer paying fuel subsidies since President Tinubu announced the deregulation of the PMS sector on May 29, 2023. Since then, subsidy provisions have disappeared from the budget. They were not included in the Supplementary Budget of 2023, the 2024 budget, or the amended 2024 budget.

READ ALSO: Breaking: NNPC hikes petrol pump price to N897/litre

“So the sensational headlines about the so-called unraveling of the Tinubu government’s subsidy payment and the return of subsidies are unjustified.

“Rather, what has emerged is the commendable stance of the oil company owned by all tiers of government to absorb the rising costs of petrol at the pump and protect the Nigerian consumer. This generous stance by NNPC Limited, supported by a compassionate president unwilling to let the people suffer, has been under threat for months due to the rising cost of crude and the devalued Naira.

“Recently, the NNPC has indicated that it can no longer sustain the price differential on its balance sheet without risking insolvency. This situation has significant implications for the ability of all three tiers of government to function, as the NNPC has failed to contribute to the Federation Account as expected.

“There are no easy choices. Something must be done to ensure that NNPC survives and keeps the engines of government running and petrol flowing at the pumps. This scenario is unfolding, and the game changer and significant relief might well come from the Dangote refinery and other local refineries, which will become suppliers to the local market. When the Dangote Refinery and other refineries, including the government-owned Port Harcourt Refinery, come fully online, our country and economy will benefit on all fronts. This will create many good-paying jobs along the value chain and reduce the huge demand for foreign exchange to import petroleum products.”