'Expect normalcy soon' NNPC says ongoing road projects in Lagos responsible for petrol scarcity

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) says the petrol scarcity experienced in parts of the country is caused by the ongoing road projects in Lagos.

Adeyemi Adetunji, executive vice-president, downstream, NNPC, made this known at a news conference on Tuesday.

States across the country are experiencing a dwindling petrol availability which has seen the product sell for as high as N350 a litre and negatively impacting commuters.

Speaking on the development, Adetunji assured that efforts were being made to restore normalcy.

“The recent queues in Lagos are largely due to ongoing road infrastructure projects around Apapa and access road challenges in some parts of Lagos depots,” he said.

However, he said the gridlock is easing out.

“The NNPC has programmed vessels and trucks to unconstrained depots and massive loadouts from depots in various states are closely being monitored. Abuja is currently being impacted by the challenges recorded in Lagos,” he said.
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“NNPC retail and other key marketers have intensified dedicated loading into Abuja to restore normalcy as soon as possible.”

Adetunji said the national oil company has adequate products, adding that 24-hour operations have commenced in strategic depots.

“We want to reassure all Nigerians that NNPC has sufficient products, and we have significantly increased product loading including 24 hours operations in selected depots,” he said.

“In addition, we have caused extended hours at some stations to ensure products’ sufficiency nationwide and at all time.

“We are also working with the NMDPRA, MOMAN, DAPPMAN, IPMAN, NARTO, PTD, and other industry stakeholders to ensure normalcy is returned.”

Earlier on Wednesday, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) said the distribution crisis caused by vandalism of NNPC Limited should be blamed for petrol scarcity in parts of the country.