NNPC dispels rumour of planned increase in fuel prices

The management of  NNPC has said there is sufficient Premium Motor Spirit and other fuels and dispelled fears of a planned increase in the prices of the products.
The Group General Manager, Public Affairs Division of NNPC,  Dr. Levi Ajuonuma, said in a statement in Abuja on Monday that there is enough fuel to last 39 days.

“ NNPC has well over 39 days sufficiency of PMS and other Petroleum products in stock,’’ the corporation said, and described a rumour of a planned fuel price increase as “baseless and unfounded”.

It urged petroleum tanker owners to release their trucks for the loading of  products at various depots and loading facilities.

“The NNPC wishes to inform Nigerians that the rumoured hike in the price of PMS by the Federal Government is false and a mere figment of the imagination of detractors of the nation.

” The corporation also urges petroleum tanker owners and drivers to resume loading of petroleum products in order to avoid any artificial scarcity of the products,’’ the statement said.

It advised the public to desist from engaging in panic buying of products as the corporation worked hard to end the artificial scarcity created by the rumour.
Following the fear created by the rumour, long queues have re-emerged at filling stations around the country, including Abuja.

Some motorists interviewed in Abuja expressed anger and frustration over  the scarcity.

Kehinde Ajagun, a taxi driver, said the development was frustrating his business and  called on the Federal Government to find a lasting solution to the problem immediately.

Mr Kudus Abdulazeez, a civil servant, described the situation as shameful and pathetic, considering the  government’s assurance that the problem had  been addressed.

“Honestly, I don’t know the cause of this scarcity again, I thought we had scaled this stage, especially with government’s promises and assurances, it is really sad,’’ he said.

He called on the government and other stakeholders in the sector to ensure a holistic and lasting solution to the problem.

A similar situation occurred in March when the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners called its members out on a strike over its demand for an increase in freight charges. (NAN)