House of Reps reject the motion to suspend hike in fuel price

The House of Representatives on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, rejected an amendment to a motion seeking to suspend the recent increase in the pump price of petrol.

Members voted against the amendment after Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu who presided over plenary questioned if it was in the place of the House to take such a position since pump price is controlled by the market forces.

A member, Hon. Ugochinyere Ikenga had moved a motion calling for an investigation into the increases in the price of petrol since the removal of the petrol subsidy.

However, the House resolved to investigate to ascertain the veracity of the increases.

In another development, the House also rejected a motion to Set up an Ad-hoc Committee to collate the views of lawmakers, Civil Society Organisations, as well as the public, and engage the government on the selection of the best palliative options to cushion the effect of removal of fuel subsidy in Nigeria.

This comes amid uncertainties by Nigerians and indeed members of the house who questioned how the funds approved for the president would be utilized.

Honourable Dennis Agbo who moved the motion had said it would be best for Nigerians to determine the best palliatives for them, just as he expressed concern about how little the proposed monthly cash handout of ₦8,000 can achieve for a selected household of five members under current potential inflationary pressure.