The persistent fuel scarcity in the country continued throughout the two-day Christ-mas festivities in the country despite the National Assembly approval of President Goodluck Jonathan’s request for additional N161.6 billion for subsidy payment ahead of the Yuletide.

Jonathan had in a request letter to the Senate and the House of Representatives asked for expeditious consideration of his request, saying he was seeking the additional fund to help maintain a steady flow of petroleum products, especially in the run up to the Christmas and New Year festivals.
The National Assembly, however, appro-ved the request for N161.6 billion for subsidy payment in 2012, bringing the total figure for the scheme to N1.049 trillion.

However, investigations by Daily Trust reveal that many filling stations in Abuja and some parts of Nasarawa State had no fuel while few that were selling had to contend with long queues of motorists.

Worried motorists were yesterday seen at the NNPC Mega Station, Conoil and Total on Herbart Macaulay Street as well as Total Area 11 Junction queuing to buy petrol. The situation was the same in Mararaba, Nyanya and Karu areas.

When contacted on phone, the acting spokesperson for NNPC, Fidel Pepple, told Daily Trust that the scarcity was artificial and there was nothing to worry about.

He said the corporation has enough pro-ducts to go round and urged motorists to avoid panic buying.

Records of petrol lifting at various depots in Lagos show that as at Sunday, December 23, only 472 trucks loaded petrol.