The Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on Saturday accused petroleum products marketers of blackmail by masterminding the current fuel scarcity that has threatened to ground the economy.

The Minister, who was speaking in Abuja, said it was shocking that barely a week after she reached an agreement over ​​N200 billion ​fuel ​claims​,​ the marketers reneged and failed to continue selling fuel to consumers.

Mrs.​ Okonjo-Iweala​,​ who spoke of efforts the government was making to ensure that the marketers’ claims were paid, said apart from the N154 billion paid a fortnight ago, about N31 billion and N350 billion were paid to the marketers previously.

She said it was curious that despite these efforts by the ​government in a year it was going through difficult times,​ the​ marketers ​were showing so much bad faith.

​The minister said after the N154 billion was paid and the marketers claim up with ​a new​ request of N200 billion as ​their ​outstanding claims, it was found out that about N159 billion was actually what they were asking for as exchange rate differential.

Consequently, she said it was agreed that a committee be set up to verify the claims before the payment was be made.

The committee was headed by the Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), Farouk Ahmed, with the Director General of the Debt Management Office (DMO), Abraham Nwankwo, as well as two Directors-General from the Ministry as members.

“The marketers wanted me (Minister) to sign the claim for the payment of N159 billion and I said no, because Nigerian​s​ don’t ​know ​what is exchange rate differential. We had to call those agencies responsible to verify those claims in view of the fact that there has been so much fraud and manipulations in the claims by oil marketers​,” Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala said.

“We have to be very careful, so that Nigerians would not accuse us of giving away their money for something that was not real.

“It is the demonstration of the highest sense of bad faith that after we had an agreement during the meeting and they said everything had been settled, only for the marketers to turn around the very next day to say a complete opposite thing​.​

“They next day they shut down all the filling stations, except few of them who opened to sell. What does that tell you.

“My conclusion is that the marketers just want Nigerians to suffer. Anyone who thinks that this whole thing has to do with the money being owed is not being truthful. If it was so, the marketers would have waited for the verification to be completed.

“It is wrong to shut down their stations and depots a day after reaching an agreement with government just to make a lot money from the black market. Nigerians should not be blackmailed. Nigerians should not allow themselves to be blackmailed by the oil marketers,” the Minister said.

http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/183548-fuel-crisis-%e2%80%8b%e2%80%8bokonjo-iweala-accuses-oil-marketers-of-blackmail.html

Okonjo or whatever they call you,this is no time for stories.One thing you must know is that one day, you people will pay for these sufferrings we are going through.it might not be now but one day, you, the clueless one and alison will regret it.

So blame it on anything you like. Where is our refinaries?

In body in his right senses would know they are simply hoarding their product in case APC refuse to pay them the subsidy. I don't know is all these APC confusionists want GEJ to go to their houses and drag them out to sale fuel.

Marketers dey fear cos APC say dem no go pay any subsidy so dem wan make Jona pay even in advance before him go

This woman with her okpolo eye should just shut her trap and pay this people their money...




Minister of finance she calls her self, when its time for $20billion to go missen there won't be problem...infact it will go missen very smoothly...

talkative

Marketers accusing finance minster, she in turn accusing them, why are these people playing ludo with our lives





Truly there was a country!!!

“The marketers wanted me (Minister) to sign the claim for the payment of N159 billion and I said no, because Nigerian​s​ don’t ​know ​what is exchange rate differential. We had to call those agencies responsible to verify those claims in view of the fact that there has been so much fraud and manipulations in the claims by oil marketers​,” Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala said.

Let Buhari deal with it, its his problem from now.

Stop grammar and settle them please.

1. They wanted you to sign an agreement because there was a dispute in the amount involved to which you set up a committee wbich is very unnecessary. They're clever enough to know that the committee cannot achieve anything meaningful given that this outgoing government had just about 2 weeks from the time you set up the committee. As such, they're right not to believe in your approach.

2. If you're really sincere in settling their concern with you, why didn't you employ a better approach at verifying their claim by contacting the concerned agencies in a swifter manner? Besides, the exchange rate differential should not really be a big issue as it is a common knowledge what it is. After all, we're talking of FG's official rate and not any other one.

You, Diezani and GEJ especially have proved to be complete apologies to Nigeria.

Who is saying the truth and who is really lying

Accusation and counter accusations everywhere! Which way Nigeria's leaders.

K

if they like, they kill them selves

Gej forever Africa hero

The marketers are hoarding the fuel hoping to make profit at the expense of fellow Nigerians.
We as a people are our own worst enemy

This woman sabi lay blame

Blackmail again

Leave matter for Mathais Jare. You na no kuku dey feel the pain
Imagine someone's event would have almost been ruined as a result of this

PH.d in buck passing.

Its a shame that everybody is to blame except okpolo eye who was coordinating minister of corruption.

Who is now telling the truth here...SMH

This woman lost the respect i got for her during OBJ's administration... She just ridiculed and tarnished her image under this clueless administration...

Okay

she is a politician, full of lies. tufiakwa

Nope your paymaster is still the president the last time i checked

Mogidi:


Let Buhari deal with it, its his problem from now.

It is very clear that the marketers are apprehensive that Buhari will renegade on agreements.

Are we suppose to believe this scrap story?

Abeg make everybody strike from tomorrow

Claims and counter claims.

I hope this issue is resolved as the average man on the street is bearing the brunt.

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What a failed nation..
Every act is motivated by money..
Marketers defrauding Nigerians by claiming outrageous amount for fuel subsidy..
When you make the whole billions, you can't still bribe death with it ...
Vanity upon Vanity

I don't know who to believe again sef. But I think the marketers are trying to squeeze as much as they can from GEJ's administration as they are uncertain of Buhari's disposition towards paying them.

But one thing is certain. I am now more educated on this subsidy and IMO it is utter rubbish. I won't take to the streets like most of us did in 2012.

I just came to sign attendance

The marketers behaviour is normal reaction to uncertainty. Without any clarity as to whether fuel subsidy will be paid in future, it makes sense to wait and see.