The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) has attributed the lingering fuel scarcity in Nigeria to panic buying and exploitative practices by some petroleum marketers.
According to Plateau News, in an effort to reassure the public, the NNPC has vowed that the current fuel queues will dissipate by next week, emphasizing that it has ample fuel stocks to address the scarcity.
During a press briefing on Friday, NNPC spokesperson Femi Soneye revealed that the corporation has over 1.5 billion litres of petroleum ready, enough to last at least 30 days.
Soneye emphasized that while NNPC is committed to ensuring fuel availability, the responsibility of fair distribution lies with marketers who, he accused, are capitalizing on the situation.
However, petroleum marketers, represented by the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), refuted NNPC’s claims, arguing that the main issue is insufficient fuel supply, not their business practices.
IPMAN’s National Vice President, Hammed Fashola, countered NNPC’s accusations, stating that marketers cannot hoard a product that is not adequately available
Breaking News: Appeal Court Rules in Favor of EFCC, Yahaya Bello Loses Case
The Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria confirmed the receipt of 300 million litres of fuel from eight vessels this week, indicating that while supplies are arriving, distribution remains challenging.
Ayo Cardoso, the South-West Regional Coordinator of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, assured that the government is making efforts to ensure the widespread distribution of petroleum motor spirit (PMS) across the country.
Meanwhile, as the NNPC and petroleum marketers navigate the situation, Nigerians continue to face the impact of fuel scarcity, prompting calls for stringent measures against hoarding and profiteering.
The House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources urged security agencies to take action against those exploiting the crisis.