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From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee probing the recent hike in pump price of fuel from N 567 to N617, has said available statistics indicated that Nigerians spend an average of 80 per cent of their income on food alone.
Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee Babajimi Benson, stated this, yesterday, at an investigative hearing organised by the panel. He expressed concern that the fuel hike would further push Nigerians below the poverty line.
He noted that petroleum is the lifeline of the economy and any increase is sure to have ripple effects on prices of goods, especially food stuff.
According to him, “statistics show that Nigerians spend an average of 80% of their incomes on food alone. This is why we fear that this recent increase will further push Nigerians deeper below the poverty line.
“This committee is confident that government mean well for Nigerians and have its justification for this action. This is what we want to hear at this investigative hearing. Nigerians need to understand the rationale behind this action. But beyond that, they need to be assured that this price hike will not have more devastating effect on their livelihoods.
“We need to be able to Convince Nigerians that their interest will always be protected. We therefore urge you to be open and objective in your submissions and provide the necessary information that will guide the committee in reaching a decision that will be mutually beneficial for the government and Nigerians in general since the primary goal of governance is the welfare of citizens.”
Babajimi assured stakeholders that the Ad-hoc Committee will be fair, transparent and objective in its assignment.
