The House of Representatives on Wednesday implored security agencies to fish out oil marketers and other economic saboteurs that may be responsible for the fuel scarcity across the country.
The House also urged the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited as a sole importer to urgently ease off these queues in service stations in the country.
The resolutions of the House was passed following a motion of urgent public importance on (Standing Order 8 Rule4) on a
“Need For The NNPC Limited And Other Regulators In The Petroleum Industry To End The Fuel Scarcity Across The County,” sponsored by Hon. Leke Abajide, (APC, Kogi).
Rep. Abajide,who moved the motion,noted that NNPC Limited is the only importer of premium motor spirit, popularly called petrol, in the country.
He stated that the National Assembly has approved the money for the subsidy on the petroleum products so as to mitigate against unforeseen circumstances in the areas of shortages of the product.
He said:”The House recalled that over three months, there has been persistent scarcity of PMS in many parts of the country and the situation appears to be getting worse.
“Aware that there are uneven pump prices being dispensed by the filling stations across the country which fields speculations that government may have begun to remove subsidy on petrol.
“Also aware that there is allegation of drop in petrol supply to marketers by private depots which is creating a dangerous mindset in the country.
The House maintained that the current fuel crisis across the country may worsen in the days ahead with the introduction of a N16.00 per liter charge.
He further explained that another contributing factor to the scarcity of the product may be unconnected with the increased cost of hiring daughter vessels in the hike in liter charges which hitherto were paid in Naira but now being charged in US Dollars.
He added:”The House is worried that the scarcity is associated with saboteurs among some of the key stakeholders who deliberately manipulated the system.Worried that due to the scarcity Nigerians are exposed to all sorts of hardships which has resulted in a hike in transportation fares and high cost of some major food items.
Adopting the motion, the House said that with the petrol scarcity Nigerians are not finding it easy in their day-to-day livelihood activities.
The House mandated the relevant House Committees to investigate the matter within 48 hours and report to the House.