Senate Summons Okonjo-Iweala, Diezani Over Fuel Scarcity Geaorge Agba

Senate Summons Okonjo-Iweala, Diezani Over Fuel Scarcity

Geaorge Agba

— May 23, 2015 1:44 pm 

However, sequel to a resolution of the Senate on Thursday mandating its committees on Petroleum Resources (Upstream and Downstream) to investigate the persistent fuel scarcity in the country, the committees yesterday summoned coordinating minister for the Economy and Finance minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and her Petroleum Ministry counterpart, Diezani Alison-Madueke to appear before it.

Also invited by the joint committee are the group managing director of NNPC, managing directo PPMC, director DPR, PPPRA MOMAN (Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria), IPMAN (Independent Marketers Association of Nigeria and NARTO (National Association of Road Transport Owners).

Business and commercial activities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have almost been brought to a halt due to the acute scarcity of fuel. Motorists queue for hours at handful of filling stations which still sell the product in the FCT.

Joint chairmen of the committees, Senators Paulker Emmanuel and Magnus Abe, signed the invitation to all the stakeholders in the oil industry.

A part of the invitation reads: “On Thursday, May 21, Senator Abdul Ningi drew the attention of the Senate to the lingering fuel scarcity in the country and the untold hardship on the generality of Nigerians.

“He urged the Senate to look into the matter with a view to finding the causes and lasting solution to the problem.

In view of this, the Senate directed its committees on Downstream Petroleum sector and Petroleum Resources (Upstream) to investigate the matter and report back on Tuesday, May 26.

The committee’s report, it was gathered, is expected to be submitted to the Senate for deliberation at Tuesday’s plenary.