Unic Press UK: Following a letter from the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association (DAPMAN), in which, the association informed the Nigerian Senate that it may embark on an industrial action over government delay in paying subsidy arrears, the Nigerian Senate has weighed in, seeking ways to avert a crisis.
During a plenary session Thursday, Senator Kabir Marafa Garba (APC-Zamfara Central) relying on Orders 42 and 52, said that there’s an urgent need to avert a serious crisis in the supply of petroleum products due to fuel subsidy not being paid to independent marketers over a period of time.
“The Committee on Petroleum Downstream received a letter from DAPMAN on the non-payment of subsidy arrears by the Federal Government. If the demands are not met, they will shut down in 7 days,” he said.
Senator Barnabas Gemade (PDP-Benue North East) blamed the executive arm, saying: “Withholding of these payments has nothing to do with the National Assembly, it is the executives that are responsible, the necessary ministries and agencies should pay DAPMAN so as to avert this crisis.”
In his contribution, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu (PDP-Enugu West) presiding during the plenary session Thursday said: “Government should be able to honour the agreement and obligations to the marketers.”
At the end of deliberations, the Nigerian Senate:
- Appealed to DAPMAN to consider the national interest, and rescind its 7 days ultimatum to allow more time that would enable the Federal Government to do the needful.
- Urged the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, direct the relevant agencies to pay, within 2 weeks, the subsidy arrears as approved by the Federal Executive Council and the National Assembly.
