Reps Plan Two Day Stakeholders Conference on Deregulation

The Federal House of Representatives will on Thursday 3rd and Friday 4th November 2011 convene a two-day stakeholders’ roundtable on the proposed removal of fuel subsidy.

The event which is scheduled to hold in the Conference Room 023, House of Representatives, National Assembly Complex Abuja, promises to gather under one roof, all the relevant stakeholders’ in the petroleum industry.

The gathering will also offer Corporate Nigeria, government officials, civil society groups, the academia, politicians and even faith-based organisations the opportunity to share in the on-going debate on the proposed removal of fuel subsidy.

According to Hon. Dakuku Adol Peterside, Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum, (Downstream) the primary objective of the round table is to provide an independent platform for all shades of opinion to canvass their position.

“As a people’s legislature that derives its legitimacy from the people’s mandate, we cannot afford to be indifferent as this debate rages. We have a responsibility to stand up for the people but only after all the issues are placed in proper perspective.

“This stakeholders’ forum also hopes to lay bare, the truth, myth and the reality of deregulation. And it will further explore the politics and sociology of deregulation, and this is with a view to finding a lasting and agreeable position on both sides of the divide.

“It is believed that at the end of the gathering, the Lower House would have been able to open the discussion space further by building consensus and addressing substantially, those gray and contentious areas,” he added.