NNPC battles to contain fuel scarcity

By Benjamin Umuteme

Abuja

Fuel queues have resurfaced in the federal capital territory despite assurances from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) that it has enough fuel reserve to last the country for the next one month.
Blueprint correspondent who went round the city centre, said many filling stations except the NNPC mega station, refused to sell fuel to motorists.
Our correspondent gathered that many of them were unwilling to sell their products for fear of increase in the price of fuel by the industry regulator.
According to reports, five ships laden with petrol arrived at the Apapa port on yesterday.
On Monday, NNPC Group Managing Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru called on Nigerians to stop panic buying as the Corporation was doing everything within its reach to address the situation even as he assured that the Corporation had no plan to increase the prices of fuel.
“For the umpteenth time, I wish to call on all Nigerians to stop panic buying. We have said times without number that NNPC has sufficient products to cater for the needs of all consumers,” Baru stated.
The NNPC in a statement said that the ex-depot petrol price of N133.38 per litre and the pump price of N143/N145 per litre have not changed, noting that the Corporation has enough stock of fuel to ensure seamless supply and distribution of products across the country.
While assuring that the Corporation has the full commitment of all downstream stakeholders including petroleum marketers and industry unions to cooperate in achieving zero fuel scarcity this season and beyond, the NNPC enjoined motorists and other users of petroleum products to disregard trending rumours of an impending fuel price hike as reported in some news platforms.
Meanwhile, some reports said that marketers in Lagos were alleging that the NNPC is not giving them adequate supply of products and have warned that if the trend continues, they would have no option than to down tools.

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