The Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) on Wednesday, assured Nigerians that the fuel scarcity problem would soon come to an end in Lagos, Abuja, Kaduna and other cities in the country.
The Executive Director, Supply and Distribution, PPMC, Mr Justin Ezeale, gave the assurance during an interaction with newsmen in Lagos.
Ezeale said that the interaction became necessary in order to solve the fuel problem in areas badly affected.
He said that the government was aware of the problems arising from distribution of fuel in the country, hence its decision to employ proactive measures on the issue.
The executive secretary said that seven ships of petrol arrived the country on Tuesday for onward distribution to various parts of the country.
Ezeale said that about 294 trucks of fuel were distributed in Lagos on Tuesday, while another 336 trucks of fuel would be supplied tomorrow (Thursday), adding that Abuja had received its own supplies as well.
“The Federal Government has embarked on massive importation of fuel in order to end the lingering fuel scarcity.
“ As at today, seven ships of fuel have arrived the country for distribution to major cities like Lagos, Abuja, and others.
“We are taking into cognisance that the country consumes 40 million litres of fuel daily and we would ensure that fuel supply goes round the country.
“PPMC has been meeting with major marketers and representatives of the Federal Government every day since the fuel crisis started few weeks ago.
“The government is feeling the pains Nigerians are going through. Hence, the decision to meet regularly with stakeholders in the value chain in order to strategise on the issue of ending the fuel problem, ‘’ he said.
According to him, the government is engaging the services of members of Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) to monitor the supply of fuel from depots to the filing stations.
He said that the decision was borne out of the need to stop diversion of petroleum products in Nigeria.
Ezeale said the Police had been helpful in this regard, adding that members of the Civil Defense Corps were drafted into the issue to compliment the efforts of the Police.
He said that selling of fuel above the official price by some marketers was wrong.
Ezeale said that PPMC and the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) had sent their officials to various parts of the country to monitor and sanction erring marketers.
