Orders probe into influx of adulterated petroleum products
Appoints new committee chairmen
The House of Representatives on Wednesday said it would investigate and make public the identities of those indicted for looting N60 billion belonging to the defunct Nigeria Airways Limited.
It also resolved to identify those involved and indicted by the Justice Obiora Nwazota panel to ensure that they are prosecuted and made to refund the loot.
The resolution was sequel to a motion under matters of urgent public importance, moved by James Faleke (APC Lagos) during Tuesday’s plenary.
Faleke noted that before the Buhari administration, the Olusegun Obasabjo-led federal government had established the Justice Obiora Nwazota Judicial Commission to probe the company’s operations in 2002.
Also during the plenary, the Speaker, Mr. Yakubu Dogara mandated the committees on habitat and environment as well as petroleum resources (downstream) to conduct a thorough investigation into the increase in adulterated petroleum products.
The directive was given following a motion raised by Mr. Joseph Edionwele (PDP, Edo State) on the incidence of adulterated petroleum products and its effect on the consumers and the economy
The lawmaker who indicted petroleum product marketers for the illicit act said adulterated products could be dangerous to consumers as domestic fuel for generators and for vehicles.
He expressed worry that adulteration of the products caused serious health hazard to human life, the environment and properties.
He also said the negative effects of petroleum products adulteration could bring about significant loss in government revenue and other economic losses.
Contributing to the motion, Mr. Sergius Ogun (PDP, Edo), described the adulteration of petroleum products such as kerosene and petrol as “worrisome”.
“I think it is time we call them to order, as people who patronise them end up spending more money to maintain their cars, as lives are also involved.
“This should not be allowed because it can drive away foreign investors,” he said.
The motion was unanimously adopted by members when it was put to a voice vote.
The House, therefore, mandated the committees to prevail on the regulatory agencies to step up its activities, to stop the adulteration of petroleum products.
The committees are to continually monitor such departments or agencies, as part of its oversight functions, and report back to the House quarterly.
Also, Dogara announced new committees and their members with Mr. Edward Pwajok (Plateau APC) replacing Mr. Emmanuel Orkev Jev as the chairman, house committee on rules and business while Jev moved to was moved to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Committee.
Abdulmumini Jibrin who was removed after falling apart with Dogara over last year’s budget padding, was appointed chairman, house committee on land transport.
Other committee chairmen include, Dandutse Mutari (FCT Judiciary), Sadiq Abubakar (Human Rights), Mahmoud Mohammed (Housing), Tajudeen Abbas (Solid Minerals), Haliru Jika (Privatisation and Commercialisation), Yerima Ahmad (Constituency Outreach), Lawal Abubakar Garba (Police) and Aminu Sani (population).
Dogara also appointed three committees deputy chairmen: Ayo Omidiran (FCT Judiciary), Tope Olayenu (Army) and Ago Joseph (Special Duties).
The House passed the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2018 before adjourning till November 6, 2018 to enable members to carry out their respective oversight duties.
Before the bill was passed, chairman, house committee on electoral matters, Aisha Dukku, said the committee had already addressed issues that President Muhammadu Buhari raised in the Bill.
