FG owes us N53.6bn - Oil marketers

Executive Secretary, Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, Mr Obafemi Olawore, has pleaded with the federal government to pay marketers’ subsidy claims to avoid fuel scarcity.

Olawore made the plea in an interview with newsmen in Lagos on Monday, claiming that the outstanding subsidy claims stood at N53.6 billion.

“As at April 1, we were still owed an outstanding of over N53.6 billion by government on subsidy which makes it extremely difficult for marketers to import products into the country. Most major and independent marketers who received Sovereign Debt Note from Debt Management Office last time never had it translated to cash from banks. We appeal to the Ministry of Finance to approve payment of our subsidy claims because the development has made it difficult for marketers to get loans from banks,’’ he said.

Olawore also advised the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) to start importation of second quarter allocation of petroleum to avoid fuel crisis. (NAN)