DPR committee asks for fuel prices to be changed to old prices

The House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) on Friday asked the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPCL) to revert to the old pump prices of petrol.

The committee chairman, Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, made the call in a statement in Abuja.

He considered the increase in fuel prices unacceptable.

The lawmaker stressed that a situation where private companies take advantage of loopholes in the system to make arbitrary gains at the expense of Nigerians is detrimental to the progress of the country.

NNPCL on Tuesday directed its retail outlets to increase pump prices from N617 to N897, a development that immediately increased prices, including market and transportation commodities.

Doguwa said: “We urge the Federal Government and, of course, the NNPCL to consider the plight of the Nigerian people and suspend the recent increase in pump prices.

“Nigerians are facing many challenges today, and adding to the burden is not in our collective best interest.

READ ALSO: NNPC denies fuel price cut rumors

“Let’s get back to the old pump prices as soon as possible and perhaps intensify engagement with key stakeholders to address this issue.”

The lawmaker, who is also the Chairman of the Special Committee on Crude Oil Theft and Pipeline Vandalism, also vowed to address the challenges caused by the loss of government revenue due to crude oil theft.

“As a special committee, we will aggressively seek ways to engage with youth and community leaders in oil-producing areas.

“We are working closely with security agencies in their efforts to secure oil pipelines and other critical facilities in the country.

“We are confident that the return of the old fuel prices will calm public unrest, so that people can carry out their daily activities in peace,” he said.

He also advised Nigerians to give President Bola Tinubu’s administration a chance to reposition the country’s oil and gas sector.

House Committee demands reversion to old fuel pump prices first appeared on Latest Nigeria News | Headlines from Ripples Nigeria.