Nigeria's House of Representatives reject fuel subsidy removal

Afrique en ligne (PANA)

8 January 2012

Nigeria's House of Representatives reject fuel subsidy removal

Nigerian MPs reject fuel subsidy removal - Nigeria's House of Representatives (parliament) on Sunday voted to ask the federal government to suspend the withdrawal of subsidy, which has raised fuel prices from 65 naira (US$0.4) per litre to as high as 200 naira (US$1.3). At an emergency session called by the Speaker, Mr. Aminu Tambuwal, the House, sitting in the capital city of Abuja, voted overwhelmingly in favour of the motion seeking the suspension of the subsidy removal.

It also agreed to set up two ad hoc committees on the issue, including the one to interface with the representatives of labour unions and the government.

'It is our collective responsibility to ensure that our government and indeed our country is governed through due process, respect for the rule of law and doing things to promote and sustain harmonious corporate existence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,' Speaker Aminu Tambuwal said after the vote.

'I therefore implore all men of goodwill, within and outside the government, to understand the position of the House of Representatives,' he added.