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By Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The House of Representatives has commenced a probe into the implementation and remittance of a 5% user charge on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) for road maintenance, as stipulated in the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (Amendment) Act, 2007.
While speaking at the inauguration of the panel tasked with the investigation, the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas said the House owes the citizens an obligation to conduct an extensive probe into the status of the 5% user charge.
Abbas explained that the investigation was necessary to determine the extent of the alleged violation of the law, the amount of money that has not been remitted, and to establish those responsible for the non-implementation.
According to him, “It is important to recall that Section 14(1)(h) of the FERMA Amendment Act 2007 stipulates that 5% of the pump price of petrol and diesel should be allocated to FERMA and the State Maintenance Agencies in the proportion of 40% and 60% 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 government and by extension the Nigerian people who ply public roads.”
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Consequently, the Speaker said Nigerians were looking to the panel to ask the relevant questions 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 5% 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.
The chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee, Francis Waive, while stating that the probe is not a witch-hunt, assured that the panel will be thorough in its investigation.
Waive said, “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.”
