Reps asks NNPC to wade into fuel scarcity

in a bid to ensure a hitch-free yuletide, the House of Representatives has called on the Nigeria national petroleum corporation (NNPC) to end the lingering fuel scarcity within the next week in order to ease the suffering of Nigerians.

Adopting a motion sponsored by Mr Saidu Abdullahi at the plenary presided over by Deputy Speaker Ahmed Wase, the lawmakers enjoined the Nigerian Midstream Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission to seek the collaboration of the Nigerian Police Force and department of state security (DSS) to ensure that fuel is sold at the regulated price and in all retail outlets.

The House further mandated the Committees on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) and Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance.

Abdullahi (APC: Niger) observed that the lingering fuel scarcity has compounded the woes of millions of Nigerians as it has worsened the high cost of living for Nigerians which surged to a 17-year high of 21.09 per cent in October this year

Claiming that those charged with the responsibility of tackling the menace are not doing enough, he said he disclosed that most filling stations have resulted in selling fuel at over N300 per litre.

He said reports on current fuel scarcity gathered by our securities agencies indicated that there is a deliberate plan by some oil marketers to derail the effort of the government in the distribution of fuel in the country by hoarding petroleum products and thereby creating artificial scarcity all over the country.

He thereby warned that the ugly development has the potency to provoke innocent Nigerians against the Government if it persists in the days ahead.