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Fuel scarcity: NNPC blames logistics problems as fuel queues surface in Abuja, Nasarawa, others

THE Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has said the tightness in the supply of Premium Motor Spirit (NNPC Ltd) has said the tightness in the supply of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) currently being experienced in some areas across the country is as a result of logistics issues which have been resolved.) currently being experienced in some areas across the country is as a result of logistics issues which have been resolved.

The statement also added that prices of petroleum products are not changing, just as it urged Nigerians to avoid panic buying as there is sufficiency of products in the country.

A statement entitled, ‘NNPC Ltd Says Cause of Tightness in Fuel Supply Resolved,’ signed by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPC Ltd, Olufemi O. Soneye, and made available to Nigerian Tribune read: “The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) wishes to clarify that the tightness in the supply of Premium Motor Spirit currently being experienced in some areas across the country is as a result of logistics issues and that they have been resolved.

“It also wishes to reiterate that the prices of petroleum products are not changing.

“It urges Nigerians to avoid panic buying as there is a sufficiency of products in the

country”.

Meanwhile, Abuja residents are in for a tough time as fuel queues have returned to the nation’s capital.

Motorists were on Thursday seeing battling to get fuel for their vehicles across filling stations in the capital city.

The resultant effects were the long queues witnessed by the Nigerian Tribune, which has slowed down economic activities.

The scarcity has, therefore, affected transport fare as motorists now charge more due to unavailability of petrol.

Most filling stations in the FCT are under lock and key and the ones that are selling are not easily accessible as motorists.

There are long queues at NNPC retail outlets along Computer Village and the one at Zone 4, Total Energies Area 11 opposite Force Headquarters, Azman Oil also in the same axis, Conoil and Total Energies both at the Central Business District (CBD) opposite the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

Black marketers are, however, smiling to the banks as motorists who did not have the patience to join the queues patronised them despite selling at N1,000 per litre.

Nigerian Tribune, however, observed that there are longer queues at the NNPC retail outlets owing to the fact that their prices are cheaper. While they are selling at N617 per litre, the independent marketers are selling between N680 and N720.

Motorists now charge between N600 and N700 for a trip that was N500 before the scarcity. Motorists, keke NAPEP operators and commuters who spoke with the Nigerian Tribune expressed their displeasure at the sudden turn of events which has compounded their sufferings.

In Anambra State, commuters and motorists, on Thursday, lamented over the sudden hike in the pump price of petrol from N700 to N730.

The product is unanimously sold at the same rate across the state.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that petrol stations in major cities of Onitsha, Nnewi and Awka began selling the product at N730 per litre from Wednesday afternoon.

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