Fuel scarcity grips Abuja

Long queues for fuel has increased across fuel stations in the Federal Capital Territory following the disagreement between the federal government and some major fuel marketers over subsidy payments. Most petrol stations were not dispensing fuel as they claim the union has refused any tanker from coming into Abuja. The government halted the payments of subsidy claims following the indictment of some of the marketers by the fuel subsidy investigation committees. However, the federal government on Wednesday confirmed that a total of N42 billion has been paid to 31 oil marketers between January and August, and that the intention of the indicted oil marketers is to blackmail government to avoid sanctions on crimes According to the Minister of State for Finance, Yerima Ngama, the oil marketers planning to embark on a  strike are those who have been indicted by the Aig-Imoukhuede report on fuel subsidy payments.