The House of Representatives on Wednesday urged the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and other relevant agencies to urgently regularise the supply of kerosene across the country with a view to normalising its pump price.
The House also mandated its Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) to liaise with relevant agencies with a view to unravelling the root cause of kerosene explosions in the country.
The resolution WA passed sequel to the adoption of a motion titled: ‘Need to arrest the resurgence of kerosene explosion with attendant fatalities,’ sponsored by Dennis Amadi (Enugu-PDP).
In his lead debate, Amadi who condemned the recent kerosene explosion in Ngenevu area of Coal Camp in Enugu metropolis on January 30, 2017, noted that the ugly incident which occurred after a kerosene lantern exploded, burnt Mr Hillary Ngwoke, his pregnant wife and the son.
According to the lawmaker, Nigerians are confronted with a double tragedy of high cost of an essential domestic consumable at N260 per liter and danger of tragedy from kerosene adulteration.
He argued that kerosene was sold and dispensed by unregistered vendors out of surface tanks at unregulated locations that are highly prone to sharp practices.
“There is always a nexus between the high cost of kerosene, its adulteration with cheaper fuel and the attendant fatalities from explosions,’’ Dennis said.
Contributing to the debate, Toby Okechukwu, chairman, House Committee on Works said the mercenary for quality control in dispense of petroleum products should be put in check.
According to Okechukwu, kerosene must be dispensed by authorised authorities otherwise something might go bad inbetween.
“Government must also reduce the price to break the incentives for people who want to adulterate the product,” Okechukwu added.
Also speaking, Emmanuel Orker-Jev, chairman, House Committee on Rules and Business called on the regulators to improve on the policing strategies to curb the menace.
“Whatever the differential is, I believe the regulators ought to do enough policing to discourage those who adulterate the product,” Orker-Jev said.
While ruling on the motion, Speaker Yakubu Dogara mandated the Committee on Legislative Compliance to ensure implementation and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.
