The House of Representatives has initiated a probe into the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) over the implementation and remittance of the 5 per cent user charge on petrol and diesel.
To facilitate the investigation, the House has resolved to establish an ad-hoc committee tasked with examining the enforcement and compliance with the user charge, as mandated by the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) Amendment Act, 2007.
The panel, when constituted, is expected to undertake a comprehensive investigation of the status of the 5 per cent user charge, the outstanding amount owed to FERMA from the charge, as well as identify the officials responsible for the implementation.
The ad-hoc committee is to report back to the House within four weeks for further legislative action. This was sequel to the adoption of a motion by Frederick Agbedi, calling for an investigation into the implementation and remittance of the 5 per cent user charge for road maintenance, as contained in the FERMA Act.
Agbedi, in the motion, explained that Section 14(1)(h) of the FERMA (Amendment) Act, 2007 provides for a 5 per cent user charge on the pump price of petrol and diesel for the maintenance of federal and state roads in the country.
