Rep faults FG on fuel, electricity tariff hike, wants modular refineries

A member representing Abaji, Kwali, Kuje and Gwagwalada federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Alhaji Al-hassan Sokodobo, has faulted double in the prices of electricity and petroleum products.

The lawmaker said the decision of the federal government to completely deregulate the petroleum industry and increase electricity tariff without first providing alternatives to cushion the effects of the sharp rise in the cost of fuel and other products was ill-timed.

The lawmaker further said the federal government should have nursed and allowed modular refineries to properly mature and become major players in the petroleum sector before removing petrol subsidy.

He said the timing was equally flawed as the policy should not have been implemented when people are battling to survive the effects of the deadly COVID 19 pandemic, which he said has gravely impacted on several economic activities and living condition.

Sokodobo expressed concern about the rate at which the cost of products and essential services are going up warning that at the current level of increases and the way things are going the people might be compelled to pay N500 or N1000 per litre for fuel by next year.

He advised the federal government to revisit the two policies in the interest of the people whom he said are now suffering the consequences of the hike the cost of petrol, tariff and other products.

“My stand on these issues is very clear. During the regime of the Peoples Democratic Party, the people in government now used the fuel subsidy as a campaign issue by telling people that it was a scam.

“When they came in, they now realised that really there was a subsidy. It would have been better since they decided to stop the subsidy to make provisions for the smooth take-off and stability of modular refineries or building new refineries.

“Instead of doing something new for better results, the administration continued to waste recourses on turn-around maintenance of old refineries that are not working”, he said noting that with improved refining capacity the issue of subsidy will rest peacefully.

On his contributions to the development of Abuja, Sokodabo said he would soon sponsor a bill at the National Assembly to give legal backing to the proposed University of Science and Technology, Abaji, and would work closely with other FCT lawmakers for adequate recognition of indigenous communities in the FCT.

He added that the 1999 Nigeria constitution will soon be amended, saying he would use the opportunity to demand proper recognition and compensation for indigenous communities in the Federal Capital Territory.

If we are compensated and are relocated, we can now comeback and participate in the development of the territory like other Nigerians.”

He recalled that no compensation was to FCT indigenes because the then federal government stated that the amount of money involve was too huge and recommended the integration of the indigenes into the Abuja Master Plan.

Sokodabo who witnessed the marriage of his children [three sons and two daughters] the same day urged the newly wedded couples to avoid the influence of third parties in the marriage and strive to live in peace, harmony love and understanding for a successful married life.

The sons, who got married according to Islamic tradition, were Auwalu Hassan Sokodabo, Usman Hassan Sokodabo, Abduljalil Hassan Sokodabo, while the daughters were Salamatu Hassan Sokodabo and Rahinatu Hassan Sokodabo.

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