Fuel Queues: NNPC assures of supplies, cautions against panic buying in Abuja

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has warned Abuja residents against panic fuel purchases, assuring that the agency has adequate supplies despite the city’s revival of lineups.

This is according to a series of tweets on the NNPC handle late Sunday.

“We assure all residents of the FCT, and indeed all Nigerians, that we have ample local supplies and national stock in excess of 2.5 billion liters, with a sufficiency of more than 43 days.”

“The NNPC Ltd hereby advises motorists not to engage in panic buying as supplies are adequate as will become increasingly evident in the coming days,” it stated.

It explained the appearance of fuel queues in parts of Abuja “is very likely due to low load outs at depots which usually happen during long public holidays, in this case, the Sallah celebrations”.

The statement added that the “increased fuel purchases are also usual with returning residents of the FCT from the public holidays”.

The latest event comes just months after fuel lineups emerged in Nigeria as a result of the importation of adulterated fuel.

Following that, lawmakers launched an investigation into the situation, with calls for those found culpable to be punished. The NNPC was then ordered by the House of Representatives to suspend the firms implicated in the importation.

However, the lower house announced in April that no one will be sanctioned for supplying the tainted product.

This came after it evaluated and endorsed the Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream)’s report, which exonerated both the NNPC and the suppliers under the Direct Sale-Direct Purchase contract between the Federal Government and the importers.