LAWMAKERS yesterday restated their opposition to fuel subsidy removal, which the executive insists must be done.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday presented a N4.749 trillion budget to a joint sitting of the National Assembly. He was, however, silent on fuel subsidy removal, leaving room for the conclusion in many circles that the action had been taken. But Finance Minister Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said on Wednesday that the subsidy remained intact.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Speaking with reporters yesterday, House of Representatives spokesman Zakari Mohammed, said although President Jonathan was silent on the issue in his budget speech, members would watch out for any sublime moves to remove the subsidy and oppose it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n He said: \u201cThe status quo is maintained. We have not endorsed subsidy removal. The House of Representatives has not endorsed subsidy removal. And we are saying that we have not brought it to the fore. And this issue will come up when the budget is here. We have taken a decision; we are not taking out subsidy. Definitely, subsidy will have to be in the budget.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt has to be in the budget. That\u2019s the thing. The House of Representatives stands on that fact. We are not going to vote for subsidy removal because there are key indicators, as we have said. We have given those conditions \u2013 that our refineries should function. And there are a number of other issues that must be tackled. And these issues are not the type that you just wake up one day and say they are already fixed up.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cSo, for us in the House of Representatives, we have not debated and taken a decision on it. So, to assume that the House is in this conspiracy of silence of the issue of subsidy is very wrong.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Mohammed also noted that the vote for security is high, particularly as the country is not at war.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cSomebody will be tempted to say that we are not in a war situation. So, why will Defence take such an amount in the budget? The budget should be tailored towards development.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n According to him, some money could have been moved from defence to areas that will stimulate the economy.<\/span><\/p>\n