The Senate has stepped down the controversial National Roads Funds Bill 2017, which proposed a levy of N5 per litre of petrol purchased by motorists.
This followed widespread condemnation of the bill by organised labour, the National Association of Nigerian Students and Nigerians in general.
The sponsor of the bill Senator Kabiru Gaya atThursday’s plenary session denied plans to introduce an additional N5 fuel levy, pointing out that the proposed N5 is to be deducted from the existing template of N145 per litre of fuel.
He explained that it would provide predictable funding for roads in Nigeria and create an environment for an effective Public-Private collaboration.
But the Senate stepped down the report to enable other relevant committees to go through its content.
Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu who presided over plenary however maintained that Senate had no plan to increase pump price.
The bill is one of 13 high priority economic recovery bills recommended by the National Assembly Business Environment Roundtable to the lawmakers for passage.
It is aimed at supporting the funding and maintenance of roads in Nigeria.
Sources of revenue proposed by the bill include international vehicle transit charges, road funds surcharge of 0.5 percent taxed on the assessed value of any vehicle imported into the country; inter-state mass transit charge of 0.5 percent deductible from the fare paid by passengers to commercial mass transit operators on inter-state roads, among others.
Its proposal that a fuel levy of N5 per litre on petroleum products as well as toll gates charges, however, proved controversial.
Apart from organised labour and NANS, the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties also criticised the plan and warned that any attempt to increase the price of fuel would be resisted.
On Tuesday, the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency had urged Nigerians to ignore news of a N5 increase in the price of petrol, saying it had not approved any price increase.
“The PPPRA has observed the growing speculation on a purported imminent increase in the pump price of PMS by N5 per litre. The agency hereby wishes to dispel this rumour and assuage the concerns of Nigerians,” the agency, which is authorised to regulate the price of petroleum products in the country, had said in a statement by its Executive Secretary, Abdulkadir Saidu.
“As the agency of government saddled with the responsibility of regulating petroleum products pricing, supply, and distribution, we want to assure the Nigerian public that the subsisting pump price cap for PMS remains N145 per litre across the country and as such, Nigerians should please ignore the speculation on the price increase.”
In another development, the Senate Thursday passed a bill seeking the establishment and operation of a witness protection programme to enable certain persons receive protection in relation to certain information, evidence or other assistance rendered to law enforcement agencies during inquiries, investigations or prosecutions.
The bill was sponsored by late Senator Isiaka Adeleke (Osun West) who died on April 23, 2017.
Presenting the report yesterday, the Chairman of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Senator David Umaru (Niger East), said the passage of the bill would provide the needed impetus and credence to the anti-corruption drive of the government.
He added that the witness protection programme is a universally-accepted concept for the protection of witnesses, who are willing to provide information and evidence for the purpose of enhancing the justice system and to protect those whose lives are threatened as a result it.
“The bill, if enacted, will address a major lacuna in our justice system as there are no extant laws in place which are comprehensive and specific enough to address what this bill seeks to achieve,” he said.
Ekweremadu said the bill, when signed into law, would enhance the delivery of justice, and ensure the system is not encumbered in any way especially in procurement of witnesses.
“We are committed to the enhancement of our judicial process. Those in the judiciary will have it easy in securing witnesses who are now sure of protection.
“We thank the sponsor of this bill and the committee for finding it necessary to conclude the process in the honour of late Senator Adeleke. We believe this will be a permanent testament to his presence in this Senate. It is welcome development,” Ekweremadu said.
The Senate also passed the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission Act to establish a legal framework to combat unfair business practices, promote competition and protect the rights of consumers.
The bill is expected to aid the nation’s economy by addressing various trade concerns and the emergence of cartels and private monopolies.
