Subsidy payment: ‘We haven’t heard from govt’
Oil
marketers said on Thursday that they had yet to hear from the Federal
Government on its intention to pay up verified subsidy claims.
They, therefore, told our correspondent in separate
interviews on the telephone that they were awaiting proof from
government that it would actually pay the claims.
When asked if the ongoing strike would be called off
following the development, the President, Depot and Petroleum Products
Marketers Association, Chief Dapo Abiodun, told our correspondent that,
“We will wait until we have proof of that. Nobody has told us that.”
He said DAPPMA would wait until the government’s intention to pay the verified subsidy arrears was formally communicated to it.
Abiodun said if the development was confirmed, the
association might do some reconsideration as regards the current strike
embarked upon by its members.
The Chairman, Jetty and Petroleum Tank Farm Owners of
Nigeria, Mr. Ifeanyi Uba, said before the association would call off
its strike, government must meet its conditions.
He said, “We must have a Memorandum of Understanding
with government as regard how this business will be run. Government
should settle the subsidy claims; and design the future of this
industry.
“If it is deregulation, that would be very good for
the industry.Government must call a stakeholders’ meeting to really
spell out a model.
“As it is now, we are trapped in huge debts.”
In the same vein, the Executive Secretary, Major
Marketers Association of Nigeria, Mr. Obafemi Olawore, said, “Let
government pay; we are waiting.
“We don’t expect them to pay unverified claims; but they should be fast in verifying all the claims.”
