The current fuel scarcity and reigning darkness pervading the country may linger into the festive season and beyond if the National Assembly fails to honour President Goodluck Jonathan's request for additional N161, 617, 364, 911 for fuel subsidy payments.
President Jonathan, in a letter to the Senate, read by Senate President, David Mark, explained that after a forensic audit, Federal Government discovered that the provision for fuel subsidy in the 2012 budget was underestimated.
The letter read: “The distinguished Senate President will recall that as part of the 2012 budget framework, a provision of N888.1 billion was made for payment of fuel subsidy for the nation.
“I wish to intimate the distinguished Senate of the fact that following the forensic audit carried out, the provision for fuel subsidy in the 2012 budget was underestimated. As of now, the sum of N880,264,243,683:61 has been paid out, leaving a balance of N7,735,756,316. 39.
“In order to accommodate the outstanding arrears resulting from the forensic audit and remaining period of 2012, an additional N161,617, 364,911 over and above what was programmed in the 2012 framework is required. . . "
This is the part I don't like. . .
". . . Given the need to maintain a steady flow of petroleum products, especially in the run up to the festive season, it is my hope that the distinguished senators will kindly accord this request their traditional expeditious consideration and approval.
“Accordingly, I hereby forward copies of the supplemental request for the additional payment of 2012.”
Meanwhile, while Senate President was reading the letter, senators were murmuring, an indication that the request, coming relatively late with a few days for the lawmakers to go for break, may suffer a major setback.
Well, there goes our Merry Christmas. . .
Maybe 2013 will be better.
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