Oil exporter has no fuel at home

Oil exporter has no fuel at home

LAGOS (AP): The streets of Nigeria's commercial capital were clogged yesterday with commuters forced to walk to work because of a fuel shortage in one of the world's largest crude oil exporters.

Nigeria has been unable to refine its own crude because its four refineries are in need of repair. As ministers fight among themselves, the government has been slow to respond.

Gas supplies have been dwindling over the past month and yesterday diesel ran out as well in Lagos and other cities, stalling city buses.

The shortages in the world's sixth largest crude producer touched off a public fight between the military regime's finance minister and its petroleum chief.