Bebe Akinboade
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WHO IS IN CONTROL, GEJ OR PPRA?

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The Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) announced a formal removal of the subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit(PMS), immediately triggering the negative reactions from a cross section of Nigerians. Within a short time of the announcement, most fuel stations had stopped dispensing the product, creating heightened anxiety amongst Nigeria. This latest development has led to angry reactions among Nigerians who described it as a bitter New Year present from the Federal Government.
The Senate has reacted to the removal of fuel subsidy, saying the announcement by the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) was premature as consultations on the matter are still on-going.
A statement by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Information, Media and Public Affairs, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, said such action could only be carried out when the 2012 Appropriation Bill currently before the National Assembly is considered and final decision taken on it.
The Senate spokesman however noted that the PPPRA’s announcement would not affect the ongoing consultations, which he said “must take full cognizance of the general mood of the people and what will be of utmost economic benefit to the country”.
Feelers from the House of Representatives indicated that the lawmakers would oppose the policy.
Deputy Minority Leader of the House, Hon. Abdurahman Kawu (ANPP/ Kano), yesterday said the House would do everything possible to stop the controversial policy.
Kawu condemned the new policy and said that the House would examine the situation and “take necessary action” when it resumes from the Christmas break early next week.
“We will use the law to stop this inhuman act. It’s another form of terrorism against Nigerians that are already impoverished. We will not fail to salvage them from this bondage and enslavement. This is another form of terrorism against the Nigerian people which we as their true representatives will not allow,” he said.
Before the roll-out of the policy, the lower chamber of the parliament had said that contrary to the impressions being created in some quarters, it had not endorsed the controversial economic policy.
Just before the lawmakers embarked on recess, Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Zakari Mohammed, had hinted of the opposition of the House to the policy when he insisted at a news conference that the House had not endorsed the policy.
Mohammed’s clarification was in reaction to President Goodluck Jonathan’s pronouncement during a media chat on Christmas Eve that the National Assembly would endorse the policy.
“Hopefully, the house would commence the debate when we begin to take on the 2012 budget after the Christmas and New Year break. Mr. President’s view on National Assembly’s stand on subsidy should be seen for all intents and purposes as his desire since our processes on the burning national issue has not been concluded. We assure Nigerians that as their true representatives, we shall continue to be on the same page with them on their dream of a better Nigeria,” he said.
Some members of the House of Representatives have been opposed to the issue of fuel subsidy removal since the policy was presented as part of the 2012-2014 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) in September last year.

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