The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, said on Thursday that the House would take a second look at the decision of the Federal Government to remove the subsidy on petrol with a view to finding better alternatives.
Dogara said this in Abuja when he met with a delegation from the National Council of Ulamas of the Jamatu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatis Sunnah at the National Assembly.
The group was led by its National Assembly (Administration), Sheikh Nasir Abdulmuhyi. Dogara said lawmakers would not support any
policy that would “further impoverish Nigerians.”
He told the delegation that Buhari was seeking solutions to the myriads of the country’s challenges and would not deliberately inflict pains on Nigerians.
He stated that soon, the House would be briefed on the policy by the executive, after which members would debate it before coming to a conclusion.
Dogara spoke more, “I know that due to the nature of the leaders we have in power, if there was any way that they could possibly avoid inflicting further pain on the people, I am sure, I am sure, almost 100 per cent sure, that they will toe that path.
“So, when the decision has been taken, I am sure but it will come back to us on the floor of the House and when it comes, we will call all the parties and then, look at it.
“If there are better ways of doing it, maybe we can suggest. The overall goal of this government is to ensure that this country doesn’t collapse on our head.”
Lawmakers are currently on a brief recess and will reconvene on Tuesday, next week. The recess is to allow the Peoples Democratic Party members to attend the congresses of their party.
Dogara said on resumption next week, the subsidy issue would top the agenda of the House.
No comments:
Post a Comment