the House of Representatives The ad hoc Committee on the Volume of Fuel Consumed Daily in the Country has threatened to sanction government agencies for failing to appear for the investigation.
The chairman of the committee, Rep. Abdulkadir Abdulahhi (APC-Kano) issued the warning Thursday at a public hearing in Abuja.
The committee said all relevant government agencies not yet brought before the committee risk “unpleasant consequences.”
Abdulahhi said that the consumption of petroleum products, particularly PMS, was a very sensitive issue in the country with its far-reaching implication for fiscal federalism.
“We hope that government agencies will cooperate with us to provide the information and data that we request so that we can sensitize them and do analysis to arrive at the volume consumed.
He said that while the exercise would help the committee determine the amount of money needed to subsidize the product, most key players in the industry avoided showing up for a hearing.
“Let me issue a note of caution that this committee and indeed the House of Representatives will leave no stone unturned.
“There is no agency that is above the law, they can only delay their appearance before this committee but they will not escape the tentacles of this committee and the House when it comes to this investigation.
“It is better that they present themselves, before this committee makes their presentations, and give us the data that is required for this exercise so that the mandate of this committee is updated.
“I want to use this medium to draw your attention, which we hope will be civil government organizations and cooperate in this legislative responsibility,” he said.
Mr. Abdulahhi directed the secretary of the committee to write to all government agencies involved, including those that sent letters requesting an extension to appear at the next hearing.
He said that not showing up for the next hearing, which will take place in the second week of August, will bring “unpleasant consequences” for the committee and the House as a whole.
(YAYA)