THE House of Representatives on Wednesday declared support for the Federal Government over the increase in the pump price of petrol.








This was as the Federal Government also on Wednesday explained that the price increase was not the removal of subsidy or deregulation of the downstream sector of the petroleum industry.


The Federal Government had last week increased the price of petrol from N86 to N145, with a faction of the Nigeria Labour Congress insisting on strike beginning from Wednesday (Yesterday).


However, the House, presided over by the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, said the step taken by the government was okay.


This was based on the report of an ad hoc committee chaired by the Chief Whip of the House, Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, which was mandated to interface with labour leaders.


The interim report of the committee was adopted by the lawmakers.
In adopting the report, the House said it was in support of the price hike.


It added that it “overwhelmingly expressed solidarity towards deregulation of the downstream sector of the oil industry in the greater interest of the Nigerian economy and posterity”.


While supporting the price regime, the House urged labour to continue to “show understanding of the situation, while engaging in dialogue in the interest of its teeming membership and Nigeria”.


The lawmakers advised the “executive arm to ensure full and speedy implementation of the Appropriations Act, 2016, as therein lies much of the palliatives that will help in calming the current situation”.


Members applauded the political will of the current administration to remove subsidy, noting that it would save the country trillions of naira hitherto spent subsidising the product.


Ado-Doguwa told his colleagues that the committee had an engaging session with the Labour leaders.


He said: “During its interactive session with Organised Labour, the committee sought to extract a commitment from Organised Labour to put off the intended action, but the representatives of the labour unions stated that they would not be able to give any immediate final response until they secured the consent of their state chapters.


“They categorically reiterated the massive hardship inflicted on the Nigerian worker by the recent developments in the petroleum downstream sector, which included sky-rocketing prices in markets both within and outside the oil and gas sector.


“They insisted on an assurance of reliable palliative measures to assuage the sufferings of the Nigerian workers.


“The committee unequivocally stressed the support of the House in the present efforts of government in sanitising the petroleum sector and noted that the palliatives already contained in the Appropriations Act 2016 would allay the fears of the general masses of our country, cushion the effect of the deregulation initiatives and create the necessary peaceful environment conducive for a more rapid growth and development.”

http://.com/petrol-price-hike-reps-back-fg/


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