The Senate has urged the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to, end lingering scarcity of petrol and clear queues in filling stations across the country.
Chairman, of the Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) on the fuel crisis in the country Sen. Kabiru Marafa who presented the unanimous adoption of the committee recommended that NNPC should be given seven days ultimatum to end long queues in fuel stations in the country.
The committee stressed the need for security agencies to ensure effective border patrol to check diversion of petroleum products to neighboring countries.
It also recommended that the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) should double efforts to enforce compliance with government’s regulated pump price of petroleum products.
According to it “During our recess, the committee moved around some cities, including Abuja and Lagos, to ascertain the situation on the ground. “When we thought that we were making progress, we just realised that the queues were resurfacing in fuel stations. “We also engaged with the NNPC and other stakeholders and we were informed that there were challenges of supply coupled with massive smuggling of petroleum products to neighbouring countries for higher prices. “Also, there is the problem of marketers selling above approved pump price,’’
In his remarks, President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, urged NNPC to ensure compliance with the resolution and endeavour to end the queues within seven days as recommended by the Committee.
