The House of Representatives is set to uncover the truth about 5percent charge on petrol and diesel for road maintenance as the ad-hoc committee was inaugurated
The House of Representatives has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the full implementation and remittance of the statutory 5 percent charge on petrol and diesel for road maintenance.
Speaker of the House, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, made this known on Wednesday while inaugurating an ad-hoc committee to investigate the compliance status of the charge in Abuja.
Represented by Majority Leader, Rep. Julius Ihonvbere, Abbas underscored the importance of the probe, citing Section 14(1)(h) of the FERMA Amendment Act 2007.
According to the Speaker, the law mandates that 5 percent of the pump price of petrol and diesel be allocated to the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and state maintenance agencies in a 40-60 percent ratio.
However, he lamented that compliance with this provision has been largely neglected despite repeated efforts by the National Assembly to enforce it through oversight functions.
“As representatives of the people, we have a constitutional duty under Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to conduct a comprehensive investigation,” Speaker Abbas stated, adding: “This will help determine the extent of violations, the amount of unremitted funds, and those responsible for non-compliance.”
He tasked the ad-hoc committee with conducting an unbiased investigation and making strong recommendations to prevent further abuse of the law. Additionally, he urged them to streamline remittance processes to facilitate easy access to the funds by relevant government agencies.
“I charge you to be diligent in this call to duty, ensuring your findings help chart a clear path forward for Nigeria. Let your work be devoid of sentiment, bias, or actions that may suggest a lack of fair hearing or witch-hunting,” he advised.
Compliance and Accountability
The chairman of the ad-hoc committee, Rep. Francis Waive (APC Delta), pledged the lawmakers’ commitment to investigating the remittance, utilization, and accountability of the 5 percent user charge.
“Over the years, the National Assembly has introduced several legislative measures to enforce compliance with this statutory provision,” he noted. “Unfortunately, these efforts have been met with persistent non-compliance, lack of transparency, and alleged mismanagement of crucial road maintenance funds.”
Waive stressed that the committee’s work is not a witch-hunt but a constitutional responsibility aimed at ensuring public funds serve their intended purpose.
“The state of Nigeria’s road infrastructure raises serious concerns about whether these funds have been properly collected, managed, and utilized,” he observed.
Citing Section 88 of the 1999 Constitution, he reaffirmed the House’s mandate to investigate public funds and expose any corruption, inefficiency, or waste within government institutions.
“This committee will leave no stone unturned in uncovering any irregularities related to the 5 percent user charge. We will engage all relevant stakeholders to ensure transparency and accountability throughout the process,” he assured.
Increase call for road maintenance
Calls for road maintenance have intensified in the House of Representatives. Parliament Reports recalls that on March 18, 2025, the House, following a motion by Rep. Frederick Agbedi (PDP, Bayelsa), initiated an investigation into the 5 percent charge on petrol and diesel meant for remittance to the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA).
On March 26, 2025, the House also launched an inquiry into the N1.2 trillion Sukuk funding allocated for road construction and rehabilitation across Nigeria.
Similarly, in February, the Senate called for nationwide road rehabilitation using the N4.2 trillion approved during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.
