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House Retains Fuel Subsidy

Members of Nigeria’s House of Representatives on Tuesday rejected a motion calling on the incoming administration to abolish fuel subsidy. The motion was moved by Mr … Continue reading House Retains Fuel Subsidy


House of Representatives reject fuel subsidy removalMembers of Nigeria’s House of Representatives on Tuesday rejected a motion calling on the incoming administration to abolish fuel subsidy.

The motion was moved by Mr Karimi Sunday, who argued that the subsidy should be removed, as it has not been able to fulfill the reason why the funds were set aside.

He also suggested that a house committee should meet with petroleum marketers and the Petroleum Products Marketing Company on the matter.

In the last one week, Nigerians have lost hours waiting to buy fuel at few service stations selling the product. Petroleum marketers have refused to supply the product, demanding that outstanding subsidy payments should be made by the government.

It is an issue Mr Sunday wanted the House of Representatives to debate, raising it in a ‘motion of urgent public importance’. He said the scarcity being experienced by motorists is unnecessary.

He called for the House Committee on Petroleum downstream to look into the matter.

Mr Sunday further called on the incoming administration of General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) to decisively abolish the current fuel subsidy regime.

The Deputy Speaker of the House , Emeka Ihedioha, who presided over the plenary, had issues with the motion before it was put forward for voting.

More lawmakers rejected the motion in the vote.

For Nigerians, their prayer will be that the problems in the petroleum sector will be addressed decisively, as they rely so much on fuel for generation of electricity for their businesses and home use.

Meanwhile, the Senate had days ago passed the 2015 Budget without provision for fuel subsidy.