*The Nigerian House of Representatives asks NNPC Limited, as the sole importer of petrol, to urgently ease off queues in petrol stations across the country

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Against the backdrop of the current fuel scarcity in the economy, the Nigerian House of Representatives has urged the NNPC Limited as the sole importer of petrol to urgently ease off queues in petrol stations.

ConsumerConnect reports the Lower Legislative Chamber of the National Assembly (NASS) Wednesday, January 25, 2023, urged relevant security agencies to identify erring oil marketers and other economic saboteurs possibly responsible for the fuel scarcity in the West African country.

The House resolutions were reached, following a motion of urgent public importance by a legislator, Leke Abejide.

The Federal lawmaker had drawn attention to the lingering fuel crisis across Nigeria.

The Green Chamber also mandated the relevant House Committees to investigate the matter within 48 hours and deliver a report on the situation.

The regulatory authority is expected to meet with the leadership of the House in this regard.

On safety measures and regulations

Likewise, a bill for an Act to amend the provisions of the Fire Service Act, and make provisions for the establishment of building safety measures, regulations and penalty for default has scaled second reading in the House of Representatives.

Unyime Idem, a member, sponsored the bill, which seeks to address fire outbreaks in Nigeria, proposes a fine not exceeding a million Naira or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five months or to both such fine and imprisonment for defaulters.

Another provision in the bill asserts that approval for building must only be given after thorough perusal of the submitted building plan and compliance with provision of necessary fire services prevention and management kits and supervision protocols.