Current Fuel Scarcity: Issues The Public Should Know, By Wole Arisekola

Wole Arisekola. 

It is unarguably a fact that one of the major achievements of President Goodluck Jonathan led administration is its ability to address the issue of fuel scarcity, which had been a recurrent situation in past administrations. Recall that in the past not only were there many instances of fuel scarcity and its ripple effect of long queues, but it also used to be a situation whereby the queue persisted for sometimes weeks or even months. Inflicting pains and agony on the Motorists, as their apple hour is being wasted queuing up for fuel.

This present administration swung into action and the bitter memories of long queues at petrol stations became a thing of the past.

Unfortunately, as Nigeria moves towards the 2015 general elections, the ugly situation seem to be rearing its head, this time, at an alarming rate.

It is instructive to let the public know the truth with a view to getting the necessary solution to the problem and addressing it as soon as possible so that the scarcity will not jeopardize the coming elections.

As the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) predicted the national consumption rightly or wrongly at 40 million liters  per day, because the figure has not been convincingly substantiated by the agency.
What cannot be challenged however is the fact that this administration has been able to ensure regular supply all over the country.
It must also be noted that of the 40 million liters per day predicted to be the national fuel consumption, NNPC has the mandate to supply 50% while the remaining 50% should be supplied by other marketers.

Members of the public should be aware that with valid figures existing at the moment, NNPC has not failed at any time to supply its required 50% mandate to the public.
While other factors may not be ruled out, some facts are clear.

1. The current situation of fuel scarcity is completely outside the purview of the Petroleum 

Minister who ironically has jurisdiction over petroleum matters.

2. Petroleum marketers claim that they have holes in their pockets in terms of huge indebtedness to their banks over non-servicing of facilities from past transactions (subsidy debts) which are awaiting government action.

3. Banks have insisted that they are not ready to open letters of credit to the marketers unless they pay back existing debts.

At this stage, it is worthy of note that the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy has jurisdiction over the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other banks and also, the administration of the National Budget, including Subsidy Budget.

The questions arising now are:

How did they arrive at the Subsidy Budget?

Is the Subsidy Budget being rightly or wrongly administered?

Why are the marketers and bankers reacting and the public suffering?

What are the implications of the delay as it leads to loses for industries; productive hours are being wasted on long queues at filling stations by civil and public servants, businessmen and women?

The long queues are also scary as motorists block roads and force other vehicle users to face oncoming traffic. We cannot imagine what would happen when there are emergencies and vehicles conveying sick people to the hospital cannot move easily.

What about the attendant risk factors of storing fuel in homes for fear of not being able to get more fuel easily?

When policy makers are making decisions, it is important for them to carry all necessary bodies along to forestall the suffering everybody is going through now.We advise those in charge to make amends and put an end to this crisis as soon as possible.

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Arisekola is the Chairman, Online Media Practitioners of Nigeria (AMPON)