Fuel scarcity: Senate summons Okonjo-Iweala

The senate joint committee on petroleum resources has summoned Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy, and Deziani Allison-Madueke, minister of petroleum resources, to explain the cause of the scarcity‎ of fuel in the country as well as to find a lasting solution to the problem.

According to statement issued in Abuja and jointly signed by the chairmen of the two committees, Emmanuel Paulker (Upstream) and Magnus Abe (Downstream), the invitation of the public officers and groups was due to the mandate given to the committees by the senate on Thursday.

Through a point of order, Abdul Ningi, deputy majority leader, had prayed the senate to look into the scarcity of fuel in the country.

“I think we need to remind ourselves that we still have the mandate of the people‎ until June 1,” he said.

“This is a matter that we need information to be able to plan. We need know whether fuel scarcity has come to stay. We need to know whether it will become part of our life. We need to plan. By planning and talking about it, we are now sensitising Nigerians to brace up for the impending issue of fuel scarcity whether it is going to be here permanently or temporarily.

“But we can’t know all these things until we hear from the experts. Therefore, my prayer is to ask the committee on downstream and upstream to come up with explanations next Tuesday through which Nigerians will know and plan their future. Otherwise, I think is legally and morally wrong to keep silent about it, to sweep it under the carpet and to continue to believe these things are usual.”

The senate thereafter directed the committees on petroleum resources to‎ investigate the matter, and it was on the mandate that the joint committee summoned the ministers.

Also summoned were the group managing director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation; managing director, Petroleum Pricing and Regulatory Agency; and the director of the department of petroleum resources.

Representatives of the major oil marketers association of Nigeria (MOMAN); independent petroleum marketers association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and the national association of road transport owners, are also expected to answer questions from the senators at the national assembly complex on Monday.