The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, has assured Nigerians that petrol will be available across the country by the weekend.
This comes after a high-level meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima, following directives from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Speaking to State House correspondents on Thursday, Lokpobiri emphasized the government’s commitment to addressing the current fuel shortage.
“We were summoned by the Vice President, who was directed by Mr. President, to discuss the situation across the country,” he said.
Lokpobiri acknowledged the ongoing hardships faced by Nigerians due to the fuel scarcity.
“The President is empathetic about what is going on in the country. He is concerned about the hardship of Nigerians, and that was why he directed the Vice President to call this meeting, for us to reflect on what is going on.”
Reassuring the public, the minister stated, “What is important is that products are available in the country, and we believe that between now and the weekend, there will be availability of products across the length and breadth of the country.”
While noting that petrol prices vary by location, he expressed optimism that the market will stabilize as supply increases.
“The price could be high in some areas, much higher in some other locations. But we believe that by the time there is availability of products across the country, the price itself will stabilize.”
Lokpobiri also reminded Nigerians that fuel prices are no longer controlled by the government, as the sector has been deregulated.
“Government is not fixing prices. This sector is deregulated. And we believe that with the availability of products, the price will find its level. This is important for Nigeria to know,” he concluded.
The minister’s comments aim to alleviate concerns as Nigerians continue to face long queues and inflated fuel prices across the country.