From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The House of Representatives has commenced a probe into the implementation and remittance of a five percent user charge on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), for road maintenance, as stipulated in the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) amendment Act, 2007.
The speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, while speaking at the inauguration of the panel saddled with the investigation, said the House owes the citizens an obligation to conduct an extensive probe into the status of the five percent user charge.
The House had, last week, adopted a motion to investigate the implementation and remittance of the five percent petrol user charge, which is supposed to be deployed towards the maintenance of roads across the country.
Abbas explained that the investigation was necessary to determine the extent of alleged violation of the law and the amount of money that has not been remitted and establish those responsible for the non-implementation.
“It is important to recall that Section 14(1)(h) of the FERMA amendment Act 2007 stipulates that five percent of the pump price of petrol and diesel should be allocated to FERMA and the state maintenance agencies in the proportion of 40 percent and 60 percent, respectively. “However, over the years, this section of the Act has not been complied with, despite different attempts by the National Assembly through their oversight activities to compel compliance. This has somewhat affected the operations of the beneficiary agencies of the government and by extension the Nigerian people who ply public roads. “
Consequently, the speaker said Nigerians were looking unto the panel to ask the relevant questions so as to get to the root of the matter.
“The assignment for this Committee is clear: Nigeria now looks up to you to ask the relevant questions and scan through the necessary documents to establish how much has accrued from the collection of the five percent user charge from the date of commencement of the law till the time of this investigation and how much is standing to the benefit of FERMA and similar agencies at the state level,” Abbas stated.
Chairman of the ad-hoc committee, Francis Waive, while stating that the probe is not a witch-hunt, assured that the panel would be thorough in its investigation.
“In the course of our investigation, we will engage all relevant stakeholders, including government agencies responsible for the collection and disbursement of these funds, independent auditors, civil society organisations and industry experts.
“We will demand full disclosure and accountability from the relevant institutions and where necessary, recommend legislative and administrative actions to correct any identified anomalies.
“To the Nigerian people, we assure you that this House will not waver in its duty to uphold transparency, accountability and good governance. We will carry out our assignment with the utmost diligence and in the best interest of our great nation,” Waive said.