*The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Abuja Zonal Office, says it has intensified surveillance to prevent hoarding, sharp practices, and ensure fuel stations with products utilise maximum number of pumps linked to their storage tanks in Nigeria鈥檚 Federal Capital Territory

Gbenga Kayode | 绿帽献妻

Following the relative product scarcity in the country鈥檚 capital recently, queues for the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, at filling stations in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and environs have eased off.

Normalcy has been restored as several fuel stations in Central Business District (CBD), and Nyanya-Karu-Kurudu-Orozo-Karshi of the FCT axis are currently selling product at the normal rate of N165 per litre and dispensing with all pumping machines, agency report said.

NNPC Towers, Abuja

Recall that several filling stations in the past were either shut, hoarding, or dispensing PMS with one or two pumping machines with queues amid the fuel scarcity in the Nigerian capital city.

The situation reportedly continued despite the assurance by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, that it had abundant stock of PMS to meet domestic needs, hence panic buying should be avoided.

绿帽献妻 had reported that the company assured the public that the oil firm has sufficient stock of petrol to meet the needs of Nigerian consumers.

Mr. Garba Deen Muhammad, Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of NNPC Limited, in a terse statement issued Wednesday, January 26, 2022, in Abuja, FCT, said, 鈥渢he public is, therefore, advised not to engage in panic buying of petrol, and to ignore all rumours that may suggest otherwise.鈥�

The company鈥檚 Spokesman stated that in line with the existing laws of the land, 鈥淣NPC Limited is deeply committed to ensuring energy security for the country.鈥�

However, as the fuel supply situation improved in the FCT, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Abuja Zonal Office, said the artificial fuel scarcity experienced in Abuja and environs was in anticipation of the Federal Government鈥檚 subsidy removal.

Mrs. Roselyn Wilkie, Zonal Operations Controller, in an interview with NAN said that the fuel scarcity was an artificial one, mainly in anticipation of fuel subsidy removal and resultant panic buying in the country.

The NMDPRA Zonal Operations Controller stated that the authority had intensified surveillance during the period to prevent hoarding, sharp practices and ensure that fuel stations with products utilised maximum number of pumps linked to their storage tanks.

Wilkie noted that the regulatory agency would continue to be on the ground to stop sharp practices and ensure sustained availability of petroleum products.

President Muhammadu Buhari January 25, 2022, had directed an 18-month suspension of the removal of subsidy on PMS in the West African country.

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