By George Ozalla
The House of Representatives has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the full implementation of the 5% user charge on petroleum products and diesel as stipulated under the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) Act, 2007. This commitment was expressed Thursday during an investigative hearing by the Ad-hoc Committee investigating the collection and remittance of the 5% user charge, with the Management team of FERMA and other relevant stakeholders in attendance.
The Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee, and Chairman House Committee on Rules and Business, Hon. Rev. Francis Ejiroghene Waive emphasized that the implementation of the user charge is not intended to increase the pump price of petroleum products but rather to ensure sustainable road maintenance nationwide for the benefit of all Nigerians, including the petroleum industry. “We want your trucks to last and we want roads to be fixed without craters, this will enhance smooth delivery of goods and services and more importantly safety of lives,” Waive stated.
To fast-track the implementation process, the committee announced the constitution of two sub-committees comprising representatives from FERMA, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), and other key stakeholders. The sub-committees are expected to submit practical and realistic recommendations that go beyond paperwork.
The inauguration of the technical sub-committees is scheduled to hold on Tuesday, July 8, 2025.
The committee’s investigation aims to identify the reasons behind the failure of relevant agencies and organizations to remit the 5% user charge as stipulated by the FERMA Amendment Act, assess the effectiveness of the current implementation framework, identify potential bottlenecks, and ensure that funds meant for road maintenance are properly accounted for and utilized for their intended purpose. The ultimate goal is to promote transparency and accountability in the management of road maintenance funds, enhancing Nigeria’s infrastructure development and ensuring the safety of lives and economic growth.
