By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Senate has stepped down the National Roads Funds (Est, etc) Bill, 2017 (SB. 218) proposing the payment of N5 on every litre of fuel purchased by residents of Nigeria at petrol stations across the country.
This followed the public outcry that greeted the proposed fuel tax.
At the plenary on Thursday presided over by the Deputy Senate President, Mr Ike Ekweremadu, the upper legislative chamber of the National Assembly said it was suspending the bill for “further consultation.”
The Senate Committee on Works had on June 1, 2017, recommended the fuel levy to help finance the proposed National Roads Fund.
Today, the Senate considered the report of the Committee on Works on National Roads Funds (Est, etc) Bill, 2017 (SB. 218) presented by its Chairman, Mr Kabiru Gaya.
Another Senator, Mr Hope Uzodinma, seconded that the Senate considered the report, but Mr Gaya later stood down the consideration of the National Roads Funds for further consultation, which was seconded by Senator Na’Allah.
Speaking, the Deputy Senate President said the red chamber never planned to increase the fuel price as being feared.
“We were trying to find other sources for funds for road infrastructure, we do not Intend to impose hardship on Nigerians, not in this bill, not in any other bill,” he submitted.