FG blames fuel scarcity on oil racketeers

The Federal Government on Wednesday blamed the rising cost and scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit in parts of the country on the marketers who engaged in racketeering activities.

Timipre Sylva, the State Minister for Petroleum Resources, said this while briefing State House correspondents on the outcome of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) which was presided over by president Muhammadu Buhari, in Abuja.

Sylva said although the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited has ensured the supply of fuel nationwide, challenges persist at distribution points.

He explained that the ministry had issued directives to end racketeering which has led to soaring fuel prices. But those directives have fallen on deaf ears, even as supply bottlenecks persist.

Therefore, Sylva, again, directed the regulatory agency NMDPRA to sanction erring filling stations, while insisted that PMS is now available nationwide, blaming the scarcity on factors outside the control of his Ministry.

However, he said the distribution challenge would not hinder the February 25 and March 11 election, while adding that the NNPCL has assured the Independent National Electoral Commission that petroleum products would be available for the exercise.