The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has attributed the fuel lines in Abuja and Lagos State to ongoing construction projects.
Mister Adeyemi Adetunju, executive vice president for downstream at NNPC, provided this justification on Tuesday during a news conference in Abuja.
“The recent queues in Lagos are largely due to ongoing road infrastructure projects around Apapa and access road challenges in some parts of Lagos depots,” he said. “The gridlock is easing out and NNPC has programmed vessels and trucks to unconstrained depots, and massive load outs from depots to various states are closely being monitored.”
“Abuja is impacted by the challenges recorded in Lagos. NNPC Retail and key marketers have intensified dedicated loading into Abuja to restore normalcy as soon as possible.”
However, he gave Nigerians the reassurance that actions are being taken to guarantee that normalcy returns as soon as feasible.
“We want to reassure all Nigerians that NNPC has sufficient products, and we significantly increased product loading, including 24-hour operations in selected depots and extended hours at strategic stations to ensure products sufficiency nationwide,” he assured.
“We are also working with the NMDPRA, MOMAN, DAPPMAN, IPMAN, NARTO, PTD, and other industry stakeholders to ensure normalcy is returned.”
The NNPC, he added, has a “national PMS stock of over 2 billion litres. This is equivalent to over 30 days of sufficiency”.
In Nigeria, one of the world’s top producers of crude oil, there are frequent shortages of fuel. Many commuters are still stuck as a result of the most recent lines in various regions of the nation. Others have resorted to purchasing the item from underhanded sellers who profited from the circumstance by charging high costs.
The government has stated that the payment of fuel subsidies is unsustainable and has scheduled their removal for next year, a decision that is sure to encounter opposition.
