The Nigerian Senate on Thursday directed the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to end the lingering fuel scarcity in the country within seven days to assuage the suffering of motorists. The directive followed the unanimous adoption of a report of the Committee of Petroleum Resources (Downstream) on the fuel crisis in the country, at the day's plenary.
The Chairman of the Committee, Senator Kabiru Marafa who presented the report recommended that the Corporation should be given seven days to effectively address the fuel situation in the country. The Committee further recommended that security agencies should reinforce security measures at the various borders to check diversion of petroleum products to neighboring countries. It added that the Department of Petroleum Resources must also ensure that the product is not sold above the regulated price.
“During our recess, the committee moved around some cities, including Abuja and Lagos, to ascertain the situation on ground. When we thought that we were making progress, we just realised that the queues were resurfacing in fuel stations.
“We also engaged with the NNPC and other stakeholders and we were informed that there were challenges of supply coupled with massive smuggling of petroleum products to neighbouring countries for higher prices. Also, there is the problem of marketers selling above approved pump price,’’ the report added.
