Persistent fuel scarcity worrisome – ACF tells Kachikwu, Baru
The apex northern socio-cultural group, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has called on the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to carry out thorough investigation with a view to unearthing the remote cause of the current petrol scarcity.
The ACF, in a communiqué issued on Wednesday at the end of the forum’s meeting which held at its headquarters in Kaduna, expressed deep concern over the present fuel scarcity being experienced nationwide, resulting in long queues in petrol filling stations which cause untold hardship to commuters and motorists, especially in this yuletide period.
The communiqué signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the forum Muhammad Ibrahim Biu said, the Minister of State Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, and the Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), Dr Maikanti Baru, had in their responses to the situation given assurances to Nigerians that there was enough stock of petroleum, yet the situation has not normalized.
ACF noted that since the increase in pump price of fuel in the last two years, there has been steady supply of petrol in the filling stations and wondered why the scarcity now.
ACF therefore called on the management of the NNPC to thoroughly investigate the remote and immediate causes of the fuel scarcity and take concrete measures to restore normalcy, considering the importance of the oil industry to the economy.
“Furthermore, NNPC may consider extending its searchlight on possible sabotage both within and without the management in order to fish out those that are bent on derailing the effort of the Federal Government in this regard,” the communiqué advised.