By Ikenna Omeje

Following fears of petrol scarcity which has led to long queues in Abuja and its environs, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has assured Nigerians of steady supply of petroleum products.

According to a press release by the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of NNPC,  Kennie Obateru,  the Group Managing Director of the national company, Mallam Kyari urged motorists not to engage in panic-buying of petroleum products as the NNPC has over 2 billion litres of petrol in stock to guarantee steady supply and at least 60-day-product supply sufficiency nationwide.

“The disruptions or curtailment of free flow of vehicular movement occasioned by the ‘End SARS Protests’ and the attendant curfews, restrictions, and vandalism, particularly in Lagos obviously affected petroleum products movement and distribution.

“With the easing of the curfews and restrictions of movement by various state governors, normalcy is expected to return to the petroleum products supply chain in the next couple of days,” Kyari reassured.

Similarly, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has allayed fears of impending scarcity.

IPMAN National Public Relations Officer, Suleiman Yakubu, said that the current long queues being witnessed in some parts of the nation’s capital, is because of fear of attack by hoodlums who hijacked the EndSARS protest, leading to  looting, vandalism and death.

He said, “The long queues in some parts of Abuja were due to fear of attacks by hoodlums.

“People should not fear and embark on panic buying as there is enough fuel on ground.”