The Senate this afternoon rose from an emergency meeting with a resolution that its leadership should continue with the ongoing dialogue and negotiation with both the executive arm of government and labour in a bid to resolve the crisis arising from the removal of subsidy on petrol on 1 January
The decision by the Senate was taken after a closed session held ahead of the plenary.
According to the Senate President, David Mark, who addressed the senators openly, the decision was taken in the best interest of the country.
He noted that the Senate decided to hold the emergency session at this trying and difficult moment and urged all stakeholders to embrace dialogue as no development can be achieved in an atmosphere of chaos. Mark, however, promised that the Senate is determined to have those who abused the subsidy fund brought to justice.
Speaking shortly before the close of the session, Senate leader, Ndoma Egba, said the desire of all Nigerians is to have the thorny issue resolved as quickly as possible.
Ndoma-Egba said the Senate leadership will immediately swing into action, adding that the Senate leadership has the capacity to resolve the crisis.
The House of Representatives held a similar session on Sunday where they urged the executive to suspend the removal of the subsidy.
But unlike the Reps, the Senate had toed a different line as, according to them, they will not like to play to the gallery.
The decision of the Federal Government to withdraw subsidy from fuel on 1 January has attracted protests across the country with reports of killings by the police.
The House of Representatives held an emergency session last Sunday on the issue and passed a resolution asking the Federal Government to revert to the N65 per litre petrol. President Goodluck Jonathan has ignored the Reps motion, saying it was merely an advice.
Marketers jacked petrol up to N141 immediately the subsidy was removed. Some sell it for as high as N200 ini parts of the country.
Yesterday, the Senate President, David Mark and the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Abdulwaheed Omar and his team met late yesterday to find ways of resolving the crisis precipitated by the removal of subsidy on petrol.
After the three-hour meeting which took place in Abuja, Omar told journalists that the meeting explored ways of resolving the crisis, adding that the Presidency also had its part to play.
David Mark also expressed optimism that the crisis will soon be resolved.
The Senate President also promised that whatever decision that would be taken regarding the fuel subsidy would be in the interest of Nigerians.
He and Omar declined to give details about the decision that they took at the closed door meeting.