MINISTER of labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu yesterday took the lobby of the federal government on the proposed removal of fuel subsidy to the National Assembly, with a plea with the Senate to support the move.

According to Wogu, government’s  plans to deregulate  the down stream oil sector is a policy that is designed to improve the wellbeing of the masses.

Speaking yesterday  in Abuja during an interactive session with the Senate Committee on Employment, Labour and Productivity, the Minister said “We seek your support in the direction of deregulation policy, and believe that what will accrued to the Federal Government from the removal of fuel subsidy will be judiciously used as well as monitored and managed by eminent Nigerians who are well respected in the society.

Wogu who  expressed concern that the current quantum on subsidy has weighed so much on the economy of the Nation, however called  on Nigerians not to throw the baby out with the bathing water, but to critically look into the fuel subsidy removal policy as it will be of immense benefit to them.

He said: “this policy of Government is informed on the need to do the right thing as subsidy has weighed so much on the economy of this nation and it does not have direct impact on the poor masses. It behooves on every Nigerian to think of the positive aspect of this policy, though there will be pains but adequate safety nets will be provided to cushion the effects”, he emphasized.

Nigerians who are well respected in the society.

“The Federal Government will provide safety nets and will invest the accrued revenue from the removal of subsidy in infrastructural development which will generate employment, fund education and health among other programmes that will  have direct impact on the well being of the masses,” he said.