Present Fuel Scarcity Regrettable—Buhari

By Dipo Olowookere

President Muhammadu Buhari has described the present scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) commonly petrol across the country as regrettable.

Mr Buhari, in a statement personally signed by him and posted on his official Twitter account, said efforts are being made to ensure that the product was available nationwide.

On Saturday night, the President held a crucial meeting with the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr Maikanti Baru, on efforts being made to fade the long queues for fuel at filling stations in the country.

In the statement released on Sunday, the President said he sympathised with “Nigerians on having to endure needless fuel queues.”

According to him, he has the “NNPC’s assurance that the situation will improve significantly over the next few days, as new shipments and supplies are distributed across the country.”

He assured Nigerians that the relevant agencies will continue to provide updates on the situation, thanking the citizens “for your patience and understanding.”

Below is his statement on the issue:

The fuel scarcity being experienced nationwide is regrettable. I sympathize with all Nigerians on having to endure needless fuel queues.

I’m being regularly briefed, especially on the NNPC’s interventions to ensure that there is enough petrol available during this period & beyond.

I have the NNPC’s assurance that the situation will improve significantly over the next few days, as new shipments and supplies are distributed across the country.

I have also directed the regulators to step up their surveillance and bring an end to hoarding and price inflation by marketers. Let me also assure that the relevant agencies will continue to provide updates on the situation. I thank you all for your patience and understanding.