By Goodluck Ikiebe
The Nigerian government has moved to calm frayed nerves amidst the ongoing fuel scarcity, cautioning citizens against “panic buying” of petrol.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, took to his X handle on Thursday to reassure the public that the government has “sufficient product” in the country.
President Bola Tinubu is reportedly “deeply concerned” about the hardship faced by Nigerians, prompting Vice President Kashim Shettima to convene a meeting to address the situation.
Lokpobiri said, “we want to reassure the public that there is sufficient fuel supply in the country, and by the weekend, we expect products to be available nationwide.”
The Minister also noted that “while prices may vary in different regions, we believe that once distribution stabilises, prices will regulate naturally.”
He reiterated that “the government is not fixing prices, as the sector is deregulated.”
Lokpobiri urged Nigerians to remain calm, stating that “there is no need for panic buying, as supply is adequate.”
He added that “our primary message to Nigerians is that we are working hard to ensure that the situation normalises quickly, and prices will stabilise as product availability improves.”
The fuel scarcity has had a devastating impact on businesses and households, with commercial bus drivers increasing fares and black marketers selling at exorbitant prices ranging from N1,000 to N1,200 per litre.
