The lawmakers in the National Assembly has set up a probe panel to investigate why the pump price was rising to new highs without due process

Pressure may have gotten to the National Assembly, as the price of petrol rises in Nigeria.

Lawmakers in the House of Representatives are looking to probe the development.

According to the lawmakers, an Ad hoc Committee will investigate the circumstances leading to the increment of pump price of Premium Motor Spirt, PMS, from from ₦537 to ₦617.

The resolution was sequel to a unanimous adoption of a motion by Honourable Ugochinyere Ikeagwuonu (PDP-Imo) at plenary on Wednesday.

Moving the motion earlier, Ikeagwuonu said that section 88 (1) and (2) of the Constitution empowers the National Assembly to conduct investigations into the activities of any authority executing or administering laws made by the National Assembly.

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He said that Section 32 of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021 saddles the Petroleum Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority with the task of regulating and monitoring technical and commercial midstream and downstream petroleum operations in Nigeria.

“Tuesday July 18, 2023 Petrol Pump Price was increased from ₦537 to ₦617 by Petrol marketers, without conferring with the relevant agencies of government.

“Disturbed that in view of the current socio-economic challenges being faced by Nigerians, a hike in the price of fuel will heap great suffering and hardship on Nigerians,” he said.

Also, the House resolved to invite the General Managing Director of the NNPCL to explain the hike in PMS price.

The lawmakers, however, rejected a call by Rep. Zakaria Nyampa (APC-Adamawa) to stay implementation of the new price pending the outcome of the investigation.