Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has described the ongoing fuel scarcity in the country during the Yuletide period as shameful. “It’s such a shame that Christmas has been, to some extent, with this sort of discomfort.
This is deeply regretted. “And I know that, despite the resilience and strength of people in Lagos and the Nigerian people, we would see ourselves through this and will enjoy our Christmas and have a great New Year,” Osinbajo said. Osinbajo said this during an unexpected stopover to Oando Filling Station at Lekki area of Lagos State on Christmas Eve.
The vice president also stopped at Hayden Petrol Station on the Lagos Island. Osinbajo also visited some major fuel depot terminals and stakeholders in Apapa and other parts of Lagos on Christmas Day. Meanwhile, Osinbajo has restated that the Federal Government had no plan to increase the pump price of petrol in 2018.
Osinbajo gave the assurance during his visit to fuel depots in Lagos where he monitored the loading of trucks to ensure steady supply of petrol to designated filling stations. According to the Vice President, the fuel scarcity facing the country is as a result of shortage of supply to depots across the country.
“The President is very much concerned about Nigerians and how we can quickly end the fuel scarcity crisis in the country. “The fuel crisis presently confronting the country is as a result of shortage of supply of fuel to depots across the country.
“We hope that in the next couple of days, we would be able to end the fuel queues,” Osinbajo said. He said that any marketer who hoarded petroleum products for the purpose of making extra profit would be dealt with by the enforcement agency saddled with the responsibility of regulating the sector.
Earlier at the stakeholders’ interaction meeting, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, said that the long queues would be over by Wednesday.
Kachikwu, who noted that over 150 trucks were supplying fuel daily, added that there had been series of meetings and consultations with the oil marketers.
He said that he would meet with the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, to put together structures and additional plans to end the fuel shortage currently facing the country.
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