HOR Probes Non-remittance Of 5% Petrol, Diesel Charge

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr Abbas Tajudeen has expressed dismay over the non-remittance of 5% of petrol and diesel charge to the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, FERMA, and State Maintenance Agencies, as mandated by the FERMA Amendment Act 2007.

Dr Abbas made this statement during the inauguration of an adhoc committee tasked with investigating the implementation and remittance of the 5% charge for road maintenance.

The committee’s assignment includes determining the extent of the violation, assessing the amount of unremitted funds, and identifying those responsible for non-implementation of the law.

Represented by the House Leader, Prof Julius Ihonvbere, the Speaker emphasized the House’s constitutional duty to conduct a comprehensive investigation, citing Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution.

He urged the committee to ask relevant questions, examine necessary documents, and establish the amount accrued from the 5% user charge.

In his address of welcome, Chairman of the ad hoc committee, Francis Waive assured that the committee would engage relevant stakeholders, demand full disclosure and accountability, and recommend legislative and administrative actions to correct identified anomalies.

According to him, the 5% user charge on petrol was instituted to provide sustainable funding for road maintenance across Nigeria.

However, the poor state of the country’s road infrastructure raises concerns about whether these funds have been properly collected, managed, and utilized.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Blessing Nyor