… holds meeting with VP Shettima, NNPC Director and others
The Minister for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, has today assured Nigerians that fuel will be available by weekend.
This announcement came during the meeting held today between the Minster for Petroleum with the Vice President; the Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Mele Kyari, and the Executive Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Mugo Okuoha, at the State House.
According to the Minster for Petroleum, the meeting came as a result of the President’s concern for the hard times faced by Nigerians due to the high cost of fuel and its scarcity.
In his words, “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 other areas.”
Speaking also, the Executive Director of NMDPRA, Mugo Okuoha assured Nigerians that “All regulatory efforts are now geared towards stabilizing 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”.
He concluded by adding that “More important also is the reinforcement of the support being given to local refinance, because with increased production from them, indeed, as the minister has said, there will be higher supply, which will stabilize the price. That’s the effort that the regulator is making.”
