Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, has accused petroleum marketers for the prolonged petrol scarcity at filling stations in the nation’s capital.

The minister said the marketers are purposely frustrating supplies to the Abuja city centre, sparking persistent fuel queues.

He explained: “But we are engaging the marketers and will continue to engage them.

“In fact, before now the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) said, Oh, because diesel prices were now going up, and of course, you know that diesel is deregulated already.

“So, because diesel prices have gone up, the cost of their moving product has also gone up and therefore we must try to do something about the bridging cost.

“But we can’t continue as a government to increase the subsidy; we cannot continue to do that. Because of that, they are now saying ‘Okay’, in this Abuja metropolis where they feel it is right at the centre, they are not probably supplying the product as they are supplying to other places.

“But you will agree with me that there are no queues outside Abuja.”

Meanwhile, Mr Sylva also announced the federal government’s approval of N22 billion for the construction of a conference hostel facility for the Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).

The facility is to be located opposite the National Content building in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa.

Mr Sylva told State House correspondents that the amount was approved during Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided by President Muhammadu Buhari.

“The Federal Executive Council today approved the award of contract procurement for the provision of a conference hostel facility in Yenagoa, adjacent to the Nigerian Content Towers for the sum of N22 billion and it is to be constructed in 24 months.” 

(NAN)