Fuel Subsidy: Government considering autogas as petrol alternative for Nigerian consumers ─Minister

*The Federal Government says it is currently discussing with other oil and gas industry stakeholders the possible impact subsidy removal will have on consumers’ personal income and expenditure while exploring the autogas as an alternative to petrol

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

As the authorities consider the plans to unveil palliatives to the people when a decision on fuel subsidy is reached by June 2022, the Federal Government is considering autogas as an alternative to the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol.

H.E Chief Timipre Sylva, Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum, disclosed this development during an interview on a Channels TV programme in regard to the government’s plan to remove subsidy on the commodity.

The Minister said Vice-President (Prof.) Yemi Osinbajo, in his capacity as the Chairman of the National Economic Council (NEC), also had been leading an effort in collaboration with state governors to discuss the Federal Government’s plans to unveil palliatives for the consumers.

Chief Sylva stated: “So, we have to sit back together to now thinking about the process that can have the least effect on the people.

“That is why we are thinking of a lot of options like giving them an alternative fuel which will be cheaper and that is why we are looking at autogas.

“We believe that will give an alternative so that if they find PMS too expensive, then they can have an alternative.”

He also said: “Of course, we are looking at the impact it would have on their personal income and expenditure.

“The Vice-President is also leading an effort, discussing palliatives to the people. All those are the things we are discussing.

“We need to bring everything together before we can now come out and say look this is the package we have and this is the policy direction towards subsidy removal.”

It is recalled the government December 202o had rolled out an autogas programme called the National Gas Expansion Programme.

The programme involves the conversion of fuel-powered cars, generators from petrol to gas, and it is aimed at deepening consumers’ domestic usage of natural gas in its various forms in the country.