By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) has explained the reasons for the return of fuel queues in Abuja over the weekend.
In a statement issued by the Group General Manager of the Group Public Affairs Division of the company, Mr Garba Deen Muhammad, it was disclosed that the queues at the fuel stations may have been caused by the effect of the long holidays witnessed last week.
Last Monday and Tuesday, Nigerians were asked to stay at home by the federal government to enjoy Workers Day and Eid Mubarak. Work resumed on Wednesday and according to the NNPC, the effect of staying away from work from Friday evening to last Wednesday may have contributed to the scarcity of the product in Abuja.
It also said an increase in the purchase of petrol by residents of the city, especially those returning from the holidays, may have caused a shortage at the fuel stations.
However, the NNPC assured Nigerians that it has enough in reserves to meet the growing demands of consumers, urging them not to engage in panic-buying.
“The NNPC Ltd notes the sudden appearance of fuel queues in parts of Abuja. This is very likely due to low loadouts at depots which usually happen during long public holidays, in this case, the Sallah celebrations.
“Another contributing factor to the sudden appearances of queues is the increased fuel purchases which are also usual with returning residents of the FCT from the public holidays.
“NNPC and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) in conjunction with our marketing partners have taken necessary measures to ramp up loadouts from all depots.
“We assure all residents of the FCT, and indeed all Nigerians, that we have ample local supplies and national stock in excess of 2.5 billion litres, with a sufficiency of more than 43 days.
“The NNPC Ltd hereby advises motorists not to engage in panic buying as supplies are adequate as will become increasingly evident in the coming days,” the statement said.
