Business
FG Reads Riot Act To Fuel Marketers
The Ministry of Finance released a statement calling the
fuel marketers to order even as the Presidency has indicted more manipulators
of the petrol subsidy system.
The statement released by Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s office names
MRS, Capital Oil and ConOil as suspects in the fraud.
Other oil marketing companies implicated include Aluminnur
Resources Ltd., Brilla Energy Ltd., Caades Oil and Gas Ltd., Downstream Energy
Source Ltd., Eterna Plc and Eurafric Oil and Gas Ltd.
Also mentioned in the fraud that cost Nigeria untold
billions of Naira were Lumen Skies Ltd., Majope Investment Ltd., Matrix Energy
Ltd., Menon Oil and Gas Ltd., MOB International Services, Nasaman Oil Services
Ltd., Natacel Petroleum Ltd., Ocean Energy Trading and Services, Pinnacle
Contractors Ltd., Sifax Oil and Gas Company, Tonique Oil Services Ltd. and Top
Oil and Gas Development Company Ltd.
The statement from the Minister’s office said the fuel
shortages being experienced in parts of the ocuntry were likely being
orchestrated by some of the firms indicted in the Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede-led
Presidential Committee on fuel subsidy claims.
The statement reads, “There is a second group of companies
with infractions which are relatively minor. They are in discussion with the
government for a quick resolution of their issues. The government is prepared
to settle their claims under the following circumstances.
“For oil marketers under investigation for possible refunds
to the government, their 2012 outstanding claims will be netted out against
their expected refunds to the government and those with a positive net balance,
i.e. outstanding claims greater than expected refunds, will be processed and
paid.
“For marketers with a negative balance with the government,
i.e they owe the government more in refunds than the government owes them, the
Aig-Imoukhuede committee will accelerate the review of their documents after
the Sallah break so that their claims can be processed and settled, if cleared,
without further delay.
“It is clear that those behind the strikes are marketers
being investigated for possible fraud. These elements have now resorted to
hiding behind the unions to unnecessarily antagonise the government and create
hardship for Nigerians.
“We want to make it clear that the government will fully
investigate their activities and if found guilty, bring them to book and
recover all public funds fraudulently obtained in the guise of fuel subsidy
claims.
“No degree of blackmail will stop the government from doing
its work. The government will, therefore, pursue justice and ensure that those
who are found guilty are appropriately sanctioned.”