By George OZALLA
The House of Representatives ad hoc committee investigating the implementation and remittance of the 5% user charge on the pump price of petroleum products for road maintenance has on Tuesday inaugurated two stakeholder sub-committees to probe issues surrounding the collection and disbursement of the levy.
The charge, as stipulated in the Act of 2007 establishing the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), mandates that 5% of the pump price of petrol and diesel be allocated to FERMA and State Road Maintenance Agencies in the ratio of 40:60. Chairman Francis Waive emphasized the importance of operationalizing the levy, which has been neglected despite its legal backing.
The sub-committees will review both pre- and post-Tax Act regimes, identify areas of conflict with the FERMA Act, and develop clear modalities for collecting and disbursing the levy. The terms of reference for the sub-committees include developing clear modalities and procedures for the collection and disbursement of the levy, recommending guidelines for personnel deployment, opening of dedicated beneficiary accounts, and defining the roles of relevant ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs). They will also identify policy gaps and recommend legislative amendments where necessary.
The sub-committees comprise representatives from key stakeholders, including FERMA, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPWAN), National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), petroleum refinery operators, and Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN).
Francis Waive urged members to carry out their duties diligently, without bias or fear, stressing that the goal is to ensure Nigeria’s roads are improved. “This is a national assignment, not a personal business. It is about ensuring our roads are as good as those in other countries. We can make a difference for our nation, so I urge you to take this seriously,” Waive said. The investigation highlights the House’s commitment to accountability and transparency in governance, particularly in the management of funds meant for critical infrastructure like roads.
