The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr Ibe Kachikwu, has revealed that the Federal Government is planning to arrest the fuel crisis, which is currently bedevilling citizens in some part of the Country, by trucking, monitoring supply and distribution and releasing more petroleum products to the market through new Refineries.
While speaking to newsmen in Abuja, Kachikwu said the scarcity is a result of the shortfall in supply of petroleum products by importers leaving NNPC to bridge the gap, but the new strategy will ensure dismissal of queue in filling Stations in a matter of days.
Kachikwu revealed that the Federal Government plans to add more trucking to major cities, from the Nigerian National Petroleum Commission (NNPC), with strategic reserves from Gombe, Suleja and Minna.
According to him, States that would be supplied with large quantities of petroleum products include Abuja, Kano, Sokoto axis and North-East. Lagos is not included.
“Presently, queues in Lagos have reduced. We know that Lagos, Abuja, Benue, Port Harcourt were among the worst-hit areas.
“Benue has been dealt with; Port Harcourt is quite moderated. Apart from these areas, other places in the country are probably liquid.”
The Government would also employ strict monitoring of supply and distribution of petroleum products by its regulatory agencies in the industry like the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA).
The final strategy is to ensure there is more pumping of petroleum product to the market through the Kaduna Refinery, which has started producing 750,000 litres and Port Harcourt Refinery, which would commence production of 2.1million litres per day, starting from next week.
Kachikwu disclosed that four vessels of fuel are expected in a few days and another 20 cargoes would come in a week time.
He gave assurance that adequate storage facility is on the ground for imported products, with measures are in place to ensure availability of products during the festive seasons and beyond.
On completely eradicating the menace of fuel scarcity during festive and other periods alike, the Minster said emphasis will be on reviving and upgrading the Country’s Refineries.
