Senate’ll propose palliative measures next week – Alasoadura

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), Senator Tayo Alasoadura, on Friday, ruled out the possibility of the National Assembly directing President Muhammadu Buhari to reverse the current increase in the price of petrol put at N145 per litre.

Rather, the Senator representing Ondo Central told our correspondent in Abuja that the upper chamber would definitely, in form of a motion, discuss the development when it resumes plenary next week and suggest ways of cushioning the effects on the people.
Alasoadura said, being the representatives of the people, each of the federal lawmakers would have visited their various constituencies to personally assess the effects of the increase in cost and then seize the opportunity to talk to the constituents.

He maintained that the National Assembly did not have to approve the exercise before the executive could carry it out, contrary to misconceptions in certain quarters.

He nevertheless said that the federal parliament would always be on the side of the people who they are representing and would always at all times ensure that their welfare were fully guaranteed in every policy and programmes of government.

The senator also assured Nigerians that the current hardship they are experiencing would be a temporary one because it would soon ensure the availability of the product in all parts of the country which would invariably bring down the price.

He said, “The senate doesn’t need to approve the deregulation of the oil sector before the executive carries it out. However, we are going to discuss the issue when we resume plenary next week.

“We may have to recommend palliative measures for the people to cushion the effects on them but it is the best way to go. Personally, I support the full deregulation of the nation’s oil sector to enhance efficiency in product distribution and competitive pricing.”

The senator cited the example of the deregulation carried out in the telecommunications sector and explained that the exercise had ensured competiveness, job creation, and access to telephone at cheaper amount.

He said, “What I know is that the Nigerian market would be flooded with petroleum products within the next six months because those who have dollars abroad would bring in the product and by the time they are competing to sell, the price would come down considerably.”