House of Reps Member move to save Nigerians from imminent fuel scarcity
Although things may appear to
be good at the moment with regards to fuel supply, we can’t be certain how long
this may last. According to Punch, ‘16 vessels are said to have been held in
the nation’s territorial waters by the Nigerian Navy and restrained from
discharging their contents until “signals” are received from Abuja’.
Hon.Dayo Bush-Alebiosu last
week raised the motion as a matter of urgent public importance, informing the
House that on a daily basis, the government paid $4.8m as demurrage to the
owners of the vessels in the last three months. He said the total amount said
to have been paid out so far stood at $446.4m. Continue...
According to Hon. Dayo Bush-Alebiosu,
the vessels carried petroleum products meant to be used in the country, adding
that keeping the vessels on the seas could lead to fuel scarcity soon.
In his words, “A reliable source at the Nigerian National
Petroleum Corporation told me on the condition of anonymity that if this matter
is not resolved soonest, the country will face fuel scarcity. The source said
the fuel being used in the country now is the last from our reserve,”
Bush-Alebiosu added.
The Speaker, House of
Representatives, Mr. Aminu Tambuwal, who presided over the session, referred
the issue to the Joint Committee on Petroleum Resources/Public Accounts/Navy
for investigation within two weeks.
Recall that Hon. Dayo Bush-Alebiosu
has consistently been against policies that have negative effects on the
Nigerian populace, having spearheaded the review of all treaties entered into
by Nigeria. He also recently sponsored the Air Passengers Rights Bill, making
airlines legally responsible to their passengers.
While its noteworthy that some
of these lawmakers are waking up to their legislative duties and
responsibilities, we hope this problem will receive the kind of urgent attention
it requires, as Nigerians cannot afford another hardship in the form of a fuel
scarcity right now!
