A bill for an Act to authorise the issuance of N500 billion from the 2022 Supplementary Appropriations for the provision of palliatives to Nigerians to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal has passed second reading in the House of Representatives.

The bill, sponsored by the Executive, was presented on the floor of the House by the Majority Leader, Julius Ihonvbere, at plenary in Abuja on Thursday, July 13, 2023.

Leading the debate, Ihonvbere said many members of the parliament had moved a motion for the provision of palliatives to cushion the effects of subsidy removal.

The lawmaker stated that the request of the executive was a clear indication that “we have a government that listens”.

Ihonvbere said the bill, when passed into law, would provide support for Nigerians to weather the effect.

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He urged the lawmakers to support the passage of the request in the spirit of collaboration with the executive.

Ihonvbere said everyone was feeling the effect of subsidy removal, adding that Nigerians were waiting to see how the matter would be handled and if the parliament had the interest of the people at heart.

Ahmed Jaha (APC-Borno) commended the Executive for taking the bull by the horns and for taking a painful decision to remove the subsidy in the interest of Nigerians.

He said budget and supplementary budget were passed yearly but it was not often used for the purpose intended.

Jaha said as soon as it is passed, the House should ensure the money was used and implemented accordingly, adding that all 360 constituencies should no longer feel the effect of the subsidy removal.

The Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, called for voice votes on the bill as the lawmakers unanimously voted and passed the bill.

The Star