Revert petrol to old price, lawmaker urges FG

Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), Hon. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, has called on the Federal Government and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to urgently revert to the previous pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol. This appeal follows widespread public dissatisfaction over the recent increase in the price of PMS from N617 to N880 per litre.

The price hike has led to severe fuel scarcity, with motorists and other Nigerians facing long queues at filling stations. Many have turned to black market sellers, where petrol is sold for as much as N1,500 per litre in Abuja, far above the N880 per litre at NNPCL mega stations. Independent marketers in the capital and surrounding areas are reportedly selling PMS at prices ranging from N950 to N970 per litre.

In a recent statement, Hon. Ado-Doguwa, who previously served as the Majority Leader in the 9th Assembly, condemned the current situation as unacceptable, accusing private companies of exploiting the system to make excessive profits at the expense of ordinary Nigerians.

“As a Committee, we urge the Nigerian government and the NNPCL to consider the plight of Nigerians and suspend this recent increase in pump price. Nigerians are currently going through a lot, and adding to this burden is not in our collective best interest. Let us revert to the old pump price as soon as possible,” Ado-Doguwa stated.

He also emphasized the need for intensified engagements with major stakeholders to address the ongoing challenges in the oil and gas sector.

Hon. Ado-Doguwa, who also chairs the Special Committee on Crude Oil Theft and Pipeline Vandalization, vowed to tackle the loss of revenue caused by crude oil theft. He outlined plans to work closely with youth and community leaders in oil-producing areas to curb the theft and ensure a stable supply of petrol nationwide.

“We are collaborating with security agencies to secure oil pipelines and other critical facilities across the country. We believe that reverting to the old pump price will help calm tensions and allow Nigerians to go about their daily activities with ease,” he added.

The lawmaker also urged Nigerians to support President Tinubu’s efforts to reform the oil and gas sector, highlighting the Petroleum Industry Act and the ongoing efforts to revive the nation’s refineries. He expressed optimism that these initiatives would soon yield positive results for the country.

“With the interventions the government is making to commence operations at Port Harcourt and Warri refineries, these challenges will come to an end,” Ado-Doguwa assured.

Reflecting on the broader challenges in the oil and gas sector, Ado-Doguwa attributed them to the failures of past administrations but expressed confidence in the current government’s commitment to securing Nigeria’s place on the global stage.

“We may be suffering today, but our tomorrow will be better. The government of the day is taking significant steps, which may be painful now, but very soon, we will be proud Nigerians. Tinubu means well for us, and he is determined to leave a legacy that future generations will be proud of,” he concluded.