By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
THE VICE President of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima, has been tasked with leading efforts to resolve the country’s ongoing fuel crisis.
This directive came from President Bola Tinubu, as he mandated immediate action to address challenges in the oil and gas sector, particularly around fuel pricing and supply shortages.
On Thursday, September 5, Shettima met key officials at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Among those present were the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, and Ugbogu Ukoha, Executive Director under the Nigerian Mainstream, Downstream and Petroleum Regulatory Authority.
Lokpobiri, speaking to reporters after the meeting, stated that President Tinubu shares the concerns of Nigerians over the fuel supply difficulties and the sharp increase in prices.
He emphasized that the government is focused on finding a solution to stabilize the situation and make fuel available across the country.
“The President is worried, and he understands the hardship Nigerians are facing,” Lokpobiri said.
“The Vice President is working on solutions that will ensure products are evenly distributed, especially to areas experiencing severe shortages or price hikes.”
On Fuel Pricing
Lokpobiri also clarified that the government does not directly control fuel pricing, as the market operates under a deregulated system.
However, the FG aims to improve supply conditions, which is expected to help stabilize the price naturally through market forces.
He assured Nigerians that by the end of the week, steps would be taken to increase fuel availability across the country.
The fuel situation has worsened since the recent price hike, which saw petrol prices surge from N617 per litre to as high as N897 per litre in many areas.
Lokpobiri acknowledged that prices will likely continue to vary by region, but the primary goal is to make fuel more accessible nationwide.
President Tinubu, currently on a diplomatic visit to China for the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), continues to monitor developments closely.
Meanwhile, Nigerians are hoping for swift intervention as the high fuel prices and shortages persist.
