House Inaugurates Committees To Address Implementation Of 5% Remittance Of PPP

The House of Representatives adhoc committee investigating the implementation and remittance of the five percent user charge on petroleum pump prices for road maintenance has inaugurated two stakeholder committees to address issues surrounding the charges’ collection and disbursement.

The user charge, established under the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) Act, stipulates that 40 percent of proceeds go to FERMA, while 60 percent is allocated to state road maintenance agencies.

Chairman of the committee, Mr Francis Waive, said the newly inaugurated panels would review pre- and post-Tax Act frameworks and resolve conflicts between the current tax regime and the FERMA Act.

He lamented that the five percent user charge had not been operationalised for years.

Waive outlined the panels’ terms of reference to include defining modalities for collection and disbursement, recommending personnel procedures, opening remittance accounts, identifying roles of relevant government agencies, and proposing policy realignments for legislative action.

“This is a national assignment, not a personal business,” Waive said.

“Please take this seriously. Work diligently, without fear or favour.”

Members of the committees were drawn from key stakeholders, including FERMA, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), and the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).

Others include the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), petroleum refinery owners, and the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN).

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji