By Miracle Ogunde
The Minister of finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wake Edun has explained how the Nigerian government was able to save $20 billion through the removal of petrol subsidy and adoption market-based foreign exchange pricing.
Mr. Edun, revealed this at an event in Abuja marking the first 100 days in office of Esther Walso-Jack, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
The Minister pointed out that the two subsidies were costing the country five percent of the Gross Domestic Product, GDP.
He said, “When there was a subsidy on PMS and on foreign exchange, they collectively cost five percent of GDP. Assuming GDP was $400 billion on average, five percent of that is $20 billion — funds that could now go into infrastructure, health, social services, and education,” he said.
He added that the savings are being redirected into developmental projects.
“The real change is that no one can wake up and target cheap funding or forex from the Central Bank to enrich themselves without adding value.
“Similarly, profiteering from the inefficient petrol subsidy regime is no longer possible,” he added.
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