The Nigerian House of Representatives has urged the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA to urgently carry out holistic dredging of the petroleum products shipping channels in the country’s coastlines.
This is coming, following plans by the Nigerian government to remove some cost line items on the existing Petroleum Motoring Spirit, PMS pricing template, which can result in the hike of the price of Petroleum, products.
This motion of Urgent Public Importance was raised at plenary by Honourable Sergius Ose Ogun.
He noted that Section 16 (1)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) provides that the State shall control the national economy in such manner as to secure the maximum welfare, freedom and happiness of every citizen based on social justice and equality of status and opportunity.
He therefore informed that the Nigerian Government was planning to remove some cost line items on the existing PMS pricing template, which would invariably increase the cost of petroleum products.
“Aware that among the factors which account for the high cost of making petroleum products available to Nigerians is the poor or inadequate dredging of petroleum products shipping channels across the Nigerian coastlines.
“Further aware that by the provisions of Section 7 of the Nigerian Ports Authority Act, the Nigerian Ports Authority is among other things, charged with the responsibility of ensuring the efficient management of port operations and the maintenance of all ports and territorial waters of Nigeria.
“Also aware that by the provisions of Section 7 of the Nigerian Ports Authority Act, the Nigerian Ports Authority must provide facilities for berthing, towing and moving of ships entering or leaving the ports or its approaches.
“Concerned that if the government goes ahead with its plans to remove some cost line items on the existing Petroleum Motoring Spirit pricing template, the petroleum products marketers will have no choice but to increase its price which will result in a hike in the price of petroleum products and bring more hardship upon Nigerians.
The House consequently resolved to urge the NPA to urgently carry out holistic dredging of the petroleum products shipping channel in Nigerian coastlines and mandate the Committees on Ports and Habour and Petroleum Resources (Downstream) to ensure compliance and report back within four (4) weeks for further legislative action.
Confidence Okwuchi
