Just wondering if ACN governors were part of this meeting.We all here others especially GEJ and the PDP governors speaking in support of removal in public.The NEC membership includes all governors.it seems to me that while some come to the public to speak against it,they go behind to beg GEJ to remove the subsidy.

No going back on fuel subsidy removal – NEC
•Governors endorse January kick-off
From JULIANA TAIWO OBALONYE, Abuja
Tuesday, December 13, 2011



Photo: Sun News Publishing
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The National Economic Council (NEC), meeting chaired by Vice President Namadi Sambo, comprising governors and key ministers yesterday rose from a marathon meeting in Abuja, endorsing the proposed fuel subsidy removal.
The NEC meeting also approved the removal of electricity distribution from the Exclusive List and placed it in the Concurrent List, to enable state governments with the required capacity to partner private investors to form entities that distribute power within their domain.

Addressing State House correspondents, Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, alongside his colleague from Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko, the Minister of Power, Bart Nnaji and National Planning Minister, Shamsudeen Usman, says government is to work with labour unions.

Reading the decision on fuel subsidy removal, Obi said, “we have all taken a collective decision to support the proposed removal of subsidy on the down stream sector by Mr. President next year. In respect of this, the Federal Government has produced a comprehensive document which spells out clearly how the reinvestment funds from next year’s deregulation will be channeled towards creating social safety nets and critical infrastructural projects, to help the poor cushion the effect.

The focus will be on: reducing infant and maternal motaliy; funding public work programmes/youth unemployment and ubran mass transport scheme, which is being worked out with labour; and building high profile infrastructural projects as roads and rails, water resources, power and refinery (with the private sector).
“States and local governments are to prepare their own programmes in other to enhance the effectiveness of the project for the benefits of Nigerians. They will be collaborating with federal government, in line with the framework for the implementation of the programme.

“A board of reputable professionals from different sectors will be established for effective management of the freed funds for the benefit of the people.
“The board which will function independent of government control, will ensure transparency and proper application of the funds, states to embark on necessary actions in areas of advocacy to sensitise Nigerians on the expected benefits from deregulatio”.

The key benefits of the deregulation, according to Obi, is that “it will allow free entry and exit for investors, promote competition and ensure adequate supply of products”.
Asked why the endorsement amidst criticism and threats of strike by civil society, Obi said, “it is a case of inevitability considering the level of present debt portfolio of the Federal Government, and the continuous financing of it. Like the President said either way there will be grave consequences and one is lesser if we take it.

“There is no place such decision has been taken that people do not feel a temporary pain. Everybody will work together to see that this is achievable, but there is a safety net, which has been outlined. What is happening is a case of Nigerians not trusting the government and it is a case of making a mistake because you can’t use the process of yesterday. Those who think of yesterday and today will miss tomorrow. Because people think, there was so much waste yesterday how are we sure that if this one happens it will be utilized properly? But there is a firm promise it is documented ad it is for all of us to hold on to it. If we do it, yes there might be temporary problems but the gains far outweigh the consequences if we don’t do it”.

The Anambra Governor said the meeting also discussed the new security strategy embarked on by the federal government. He said, “the NSA briefed the meeting on the security challenges and sought the cooperation of governors in working closely with the federal authorities to meet the security challenges and ensure the security of life and property for every Nigerian”.

On power sector reform, he said as critical partners and stakeholders in the ongoing power reform, “states have been assigned roles in power distribution and generation with the state with DISCO (distribution company) captive area allowed to own some equity in the company.

“National Electric Regulation Commission (NERC) has been directed to issue operational licences to states that intend to either generate or distribute power provided they meet the required conditions.
“Federal Government’s policy is to encourage states to participate in the power reforms in order to enhance power supply in the country.”

On the planned turnaround of the power sector, the NEC resolved that any state that wants to generate power could do those but would need to apply for a licence if such state wants to distribute power.
He said the NEC constituted a committee led by Governor Liyel Imoke on the matter.

Other members of the committee are Governors Mimiko of Ondo, Gabriel Suswam of Benue State, Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna, Kassim Shettima of Borno State and Peter Obi of Anambra.
“Some categories of custonmers are to be subsidized, the idea is for those who can afford it to pay the apprproate tariff while the very low users will be subsidized.”

I am so happy!
Long live the federal republic!

Finally GEJ is getting it right in the power sector,high time people started thinking of moving back to our great naija.State generating power and distributing with support from private sector is a right step in the right direction.GEJ u tal am and u don dey do am! God bless and give u more wisdom to move the country to her rightful place among the community of nations

OK so the elites have set their minds on subsidy removal so its time to impose it on the helpless masses.

In effect what we are saying is that they have all agreed that the masses should pay for government's failures/inefficiencies. Brilliant.

“A board of reputable professionals from different sectors will be established for effective management of the freed funds for the benefit of the people.
“The board which will function independent of government control, will ensure transparency and proper application of the funds, states to embark on necessary actions in areas of advocacy to sensitise Nigerians on the expected benefits from deregulatio”.



I truely pray for their independence and that the members are of impeccable character

I maybe mistaken but what I see is more funds going to state governors to further embezzle.Show me one state gov that has performed above average.D only thing we hear is how they have become stupendously wealthy while salaries& critical infrastrutural challenges remain unattended

The fact is we should challenge our leaders i.e LG Chairman,Governors,House of assembly and other executives on this plan to generate and distribute power when the time comes instead of being cynical over every moves of the government.