Majority of members of the House of Representatives on Tuesday rejected a motion seeking the removal of subsidy on petroleum products by the incoming administration of retired General Muhammadu Buhari.
The motion entitled: “The recurring crisis of fuel subsidy,” was sponsored by Rep. Sunday Karimi (Kogi-PDP), who also led debate on the issue at plenary.
Karimi said the subsidy issue had lingered for a long period and urged that it should be removed from the fuel supply chain.
“As we speak, Premium Motor Spirit sells between N120 and N150 per litre in most places, depending on where it is available, as against the official pump price of N87 per litre,” he said.
Contributing, the Deputy Leader of the House, Rep. Leo Ogor (Delta-PDP), said the subsidy regime had become a drain on the country’s economy and urged government to redirect subsidy votes to other priority areas.
Ogor said: “For how long shall we continue to be held hostage by our own people?
“How long shall we continue to pay subsidy when our refineries are lying comatose?
“How will we be able to develop our economy and invest in refineries if we continue to pay huge amount on subsidy claims that, in most cases, are not even tenable?
“The money that we spend on fuel subsidy can be channelled to other crucial areas.”
Opposing the motion, Rep. Osai Osai (Delta-PDP) said the timing of the motion was “wrong and belated”.
Osai said the outstanding subsidy payment had been dealt with on Monday.
Osai said the payment was concluded during a meeting between the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and major oil marketers.
He said: “I disagree with this motion because it is coming very late and standing on a very weak premise.
“So, the House would be wasting resources and energy in trying to dabble into this matter.”
After the debate of the issue, the motion was rejected by majority of the lawmakers when it was put to vote by the Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha, who presided.