President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday broke silence of the biting fuel scarcity, saying it is regrettable.
The president, on his Twitter handle, @MBuhari, sympathised with Nigerians on having to endure what he described ad needless fuel queues.
He said he was being regularly briefed on the interventions by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.
Buhari said he had the NNPC’s assurance that the situation would significantly improve over the next few days as new shipments and supplies are distributed across the nation.
The president stated: “The fuel scarcity being experienced nationwide is regrettable. I sympathize with all Nigerians on having to endure needless fuel queues.
“I’m being regularly briefed, especially on the NNPC’s interventions to ensure that there is enough petrol available during this period & beyond.
“I have the NNPC’s assurance that the situation will improve significantly over the next few days, as new shipments and supplies are distributed across the country.
“I have also directed the regulators to step up their surveillance and bring an end to hoarding and price inflation by marketers,
“Let me also assure that the relevant agencies will continue to provide updates on the situation. I thank you all for your patience and understanding.”
Meanwhile, presidential spokesman Mr Femi Adesina, in a statement earlier Sunday, confirmed that there marketers wanted to force the government to increase fuel price.
He stated that the situation was compounded by hoarding of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and panic buying.
He was reacting to criticisms trailing the decision by the Presidency to air a documentary on the “human side” of President Muhammadu Buhari.
He said “The current fuel crisis is a combination of snafu (Situation Normal All Fouled Up) in the distribution process of petrol (which the NNPC admitted at the onset of the problem), and deliberate mischief and sabotage by some marketers, who want to force the hands of government to increase the pump price. Then, the situation is further compounded by hoarding of products, and panic buying.”
Adesina assured that the Federal Government was “working round the clock to restore normalcy, which will come in a matter of time.”
He said: “I have read a lot of reactions, particularly online, on the timing of the airing of the documentary on President Muhammadu Buhari, slated for December 24 and 25, 2017, respectively, by 8 p.m on NTA and Channels Television.
“Some of the comments are borne out of genuine concern, which we appreciate, while others are virulent, coming from inveterate complainers. Fault finding is the stock-in-trade of such people, and if they mistakenly find themselves in Heaven, they would even complain against God. They have no other pastime.
“The reactions mainly dwell on the fact that a documentary showing the human side of the President (as against the well known iron and steel) is coming at a time there is severe fuel scarcity in the country. And I say, why not? Is life all about doom and gloom? Must we sit in ashes and wear sackcloth perpetually, and ignore the brighter side of life? God forbid.
“…Should we then be perpetually like King Lear at his worst, and consign ourselves to the doldrums occasioned by fuel scarcity at a festive period? No. Despite the temporal pains, life must continue, and we must look at the cheery side, while government works hard to bring succour.
“That is why I disagree with armchair critics, who wail at the drop of a hat. Millions of Nigerians appreciate President Buhari, love him passionately, and would watch the airing of the documentary, which shows the President in a perspective not very well known before.It’s a spice for the holiday season, and not even ephemeral fuel crisis would dampen the enthusiasm of positive minded Nigerians.”