The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Water Resources, Hon, Aliyu Ahman-Pategi, has said that total deregulation of downstream of oil industry remains the solution to the problem of fuel scarcity in the country.
Ahman-Pategi, who represents Edu/Moro/Patigi Federal Constituency in the green chamber of the national assembly, said the rise in the crude oil price in the international market was largely responsible for the current fuel scarcity being experienced by Nigerians, saying as price of crude oil increases globally so also is its manifestation at the local level.
Ahman- Pategi, who fielded questions from journalists in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, on Monday, explained that evidence showed that the government has been subsidising the cost of fuel for consumers without due legislative approval.
He cautioned the executive against spending without the consent of the National Assembly under the guise of fulfilling electioneering promises to the people, saying such move undermines the nation's constitution and is alien to democratic governance.
He urged the government to approach the legislative body with supplementary budget to correct the lapses made previously in this regard.
He, however, expressed delight that the Federal government had taken pragmatic steps towards ensuring adequate supply of potable water to the people across the country.
He hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for initiating a bill on water charter for the country, adding that the House of Representatives had passed the bill which is awaiting the concurrence of the Senate.
He said when Buhari eventually signs the bill, problems associated with water reticulations across the country would become a thing of the past.
Ahman- Pategi said the bill stipulates that the federal government should not limit its involvement to only the provision of water dams but should also assist the states and local governments in reticulation projects so that there could be regular supply of potable water to every home across the country.
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