The House of Representatives has called the Minister of Petroleum Resources to advise Nigerians on the steps in place to end the current fuel scarcity and prevent it from recurring in the future.
President Bola Tinubu is the Minister of Petroleum Resources.
He named Heineken Lokpobiri as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), and Ekperikpe Ekpo as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas).
The House resolution followed the adoption of a matter of urgent importance on the need to address the lingering fuel scarcity and rising retail prices of premium motor spirit (PMS) across the country.
The motion, which also invited other relevant stakeholders in the petroleum industry, was moved by Hon. Umar Shehu Ajilo.
The House was worried by the lingering fuel scarcity accompanied by excessive increase in retail price of Premium Motor Spirit in filling stations across the country.
This, it said, has caused additional hardship to the Nigerian citizens.
The House was concerned that the fuel scarcity is coming at a time when the adverse economic effect caused by subsidy removal and soaring inflation is yet to be addressed by the government.
It said this was further worsened by the deteriorating income of the Nigerian masses.
The House was further concerned that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Ltd is yet to address this perennial and persistent fuel scarcity problem faced by Nigerians despite the volume of resources at its disposal.
“Most worrisome that all these economic quagmires have made the lives of average Nigerians unbearable with a litre of fuel selling as much as N1200 in some states of the Federation.
” This 10th Assembly must rise to the occasion to ensure that lasting measures are taken to address this unfortunate and embarrassing situation permanently in the interest of all Nigerians,” the House said.