Reps task NPA with dredging petroleum shipping channels
The House of Representatives has urged the Nigerian Ports Authority to “urgently” carry out holistic dredging of petroleum products shipping channels in Nigerian coastlines due to the high cost of transporting energy products to parts of the country.
The House further mandated its committees on Ports and Harbor, and Petroleum Resources (Downstream) to ensure compliance with the resolution and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.
The resolution was based on the unanimous adoption of a motion moved by a member, Sergius Ogun, at the plenary on Tuesday, titled ‘Need to Reduce the Cost of Transporting Petroleum Products by Dredging the Petroleum Products Shipping Channel in Nigerian Coastlines.’
Moving the motion, Ogun noted that Section 16 (1)(b) of the 1999 Constitution provides that the state shall control the national economy in such a manner as to secure the maximum welfare, freedom and happiness of every citizen based on social justice and equality of status and opportunity.
According to him, the federal government is planning to remove some cost line items on the existing Petroleum Motoring Spirit pricing template, which he said would invariably increase the cost of petroleum products.
The lawmaker noted that among the factors accounting for the high cost of making petroleum products available to Nigerians is the poor or inadequate dredging of petroleum products shipping channels across the Nigerian coastline.
Ogun stated that by the provisions of Section 7 of the Nigerian Ports Authority Act, the NPA is, among other things, charged with the responsibility of ensuring efficient management of port operations and the maintenance of all ports and territorial waters of Nigeria.
He also stated that by the provisions of Section 7 of the NPA Act, the Authority “must provide facilities for berthing, towing and moving of ships entering or leaving the ports or its approaches.”
The lawmaker said, “The House is concerned that if the government goes ahead with its plans to remove some cost line items on the existing PMS pricing template, the petroleum products marketers will have no choice but to increase its price, which will result in a hike in the price of petroleum products and bring more hardship upon Nigerians.”
