N380/Litre: Governors Lack Powers To Fix Petrol Price —Falana

N380/Litre: Governors Lack Powers To Fix Petrol Price —Falana
Femi Falana

Popular human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) has expressed that State governors lack the power to fix petrol price.

He stated this on Friday evening while featuring on a PUNCH Live interview programme.

Recall that it was reported that a committee set up by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum recommended a petrol price of between N408.5 per litre and N380 per litre.

The committee also called for immediate removal of fuel subsidy.

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Reacting to the recommendation, Falana said, “With profound respect, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum as an entity, Nigerian governors in their individual capacities lack the powers to interfere in the fixing of the prices of petroleum products.

“Section 6 of the Petroleum Act which has not been amended provides that the Minister of Petroleum Resources shall fix the prices of petroleum in Nigeria.

“So, when you are told that the PPPRA , DPR, NNPC or Governors’ Forum or market forces are fixing the prices of petroleum products, they have abandoned the law.

“We have a situation where President (Muhammadu) Buhari has made himself the Minister of Petroleum Resources, illegally though. As usual, he doesn’t want to take responsibility for punishing the Nigerian people. So, he steps back and allow all manners of forces to fix petroleum products.”