September 05, (THEWILL) – The Federal Government has assured Nigerians of an adequate supply of petrol to meet the demand of consumers to ensure price stability.
Minister of State, Petroleum, Heineken Lokpobiri, who gave the assurances on Thursday after a meeting with Vice-President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, said: “Between now and the weekend, there will be availability of products across the length and breadth of the country.”
The meeting follows a directive by the President, who instructed VP Shettima to summon Lokpobiri, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Mele Kyari, the National Security Advisor (NSA) and the Executive Director of Nigeria Mainstream, Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Kalu Okuoha, over the recent petrol price hike and its scarcity across the country.
THEWILL reports that amid a scarcity of petrol across the country, the NNPC on Wednesday jerked up the pump price of petrol from N617 to N897 per litre.
Speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting, Lokpobiri said: “We were summoned by the Vice President, who was directed by Mr President to summon this meeting and we have been with him to brief him about what is going on across the country.
“The Vice President summoned us and we’ve been with him to brief him about what is going on across the country. And what is important is for us to convey to Nigerians that the President is empathetic about what is going on in the country. He is concerned about the hardship of Nigerians, and that was why he directed the Vice President to call this meeting, for us to reflect on what is going on in the country.
“What is important is that products are available in the country, and we believe that between now and the weekend, there will be availability of products across the length and breadth of the country.
“The price could be high in some other areas, much higher in some other locations, and in some locations, much more than you know in other areas. But we believe that by the time there is the availability of products across the country, the price itself will stabilise.
“But what is important is that the government is not fixing prices. This sector is deregulated. And we believe that with the availability of products, the price will find its level. And this is important for Nigeria to know.
“The summary is that the President is empathetic about what’s going on. That’s why he directed this meeting. There is enough product in the country to be able to meet the demands of Nigerians. There should be no panic buying. And we also believe that Nigerians need to know that the government is not fixing prices. That is what I want to convey to Nigerians.”
On his part, Okuoha, said, “All regulatory efforts are now geared towards stabilising supply, with a resultant impact that it will be positive also on the stability of price.
“To that objective, the regulator is ensuring that there are increased operating hours from all loading depots; vessels are being cleared promptly and extended hours where safety can permit for truck-outs as well.
“More important also is the reinforcement of the support being given to local refiners because with increased production from them, we, indeed, like the minister, has said, there will be a higher supply, which will stabilise the price. That’s the effort that the regulator is making.”
