Fuel scarcity over in days —Minister

ABUJA — The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji
Lai Mohammed, has assured that the current fuel scarcity
in the country will be over in a matter of days, following
the approval of the subsidy payment by the National
Assembly.
The minister, who gave the assurance during a visit to the
headquarters of the Daily Trust newspaper in Abuja,
yesterday, explained that the N521 billion approved by the
National Assembly, as part of the supplementary budget
of N574.4 billion, would be enough to cover the fuel
subsidy till the end of the year.
He also said the kind of fuel scarcity that has triggered
vehicular queues across the country would no longer
repeat itself.
He said: “We can confidently announce here today that the
scarcity will end in a few days. Subsidy payment till the
end of the year has been approved by the National
Assembly. As you know we can’t spend money without
approval.’’
The minister thanked the management and staff of the
newspaper for the role they played during the last general
elections.
He said: “The sacrifice you made helped to bring about
the change that Nigerians desired. You stood by the
people of Nigeria when it mattered most, and we will
continue to engage with you all through the tenure of this
Administration to exchange ideas in the interest of
Nigerians.”
The minister, however, used the occasion to announce a
plan to set up an adhoc committee, comprising
representatives of the government, the military and the
media to enhance the exchange of information, especially
concerning the war against terrorism.
He also informed that the 2016 budget would soon be
submitted to the National Assembly, which he said would
address the yearnings of Nigerians.