Tobias Sylvester
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has advised Nigerians not to panic over alleged plans by the federal government to increase the price of fuel.
A statement on Monday by Garba Muhammad, Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, NNPC, said the Corporation is not aware of any plan by the government to cause an increase in the pump price of petroleum.
Muhammad also told motorists not to panic buy petrol stating that the NNPC has over 1.7 billion litres of petrol in stock, noting that more of the product is expected to arrive into the country daily over the coming weeks and months.
He said it was therefore unnecessary to entertain any fear of scarcity of petrol throughout the festive season and beyond.
The statement partly reads, “The NNPC is also not aware of any plan by government to cause an increase in the pump price of petroleum. The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has made that declaration last week.
“In view of these assurances therefore, the NNPC is advising motorists and other consumers of petrol to maintain their regular pattern of the purchase of petrol without getting into a panic situation that may send the wrong signals around the country.”
Muhammad added that the NNPC is also engaging all stakeholders to ensure smooth supply and distribution of products to every part of the country during the festive season and beyond.
KanyiDaily recalls that NNPC had recently announced will it open filling stations in Niger Republic in order to curb the smuggling of petroleum products across Nigeria’s land borders.
