Despite the lockdown and stay-at-home orders by most state governments in the country, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has given an assurance of an uninterrupted supply of petroleum products across the country.
Since the stay-at-home orders were issued at the beginning of the week to help curtail further spread of the dreaded coronavirus, some filling stations have started hoarding petroleum products, resulting in artificial scarcity of the commodity.
The operators of filling stations have blamed the development on the inability of the trucks bearing petroleum products to get to their states as a result of current restriction of movement in the country.
But, the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mele Kyari, said the corporation anticipated the possible impact of the restriction order on fuel distribution and made contingent plans.
He said the NNPC has reached an understanding with the various state governments to allow trucks conveying petroleum products movement in their domains.
“There is a special arrangement we have in place for fuel supply during the period of Coronavirus lockdown,” he said.
“States have all consented to allow movement of fuel trucks and operation of stations during any sit-at-home action,” Mr Kyari said in a tweet on his personal twitter handle, @mkk.
He assured that the stock of petroleum products in all NNPC storage depots was sufficient to meet the needs of consumers throughout the lockdown period.
“Our fuel stock and supply plans are robust. We have about 2.6billion litres of petrol in stock. Again, states have all confirmed fuel distribution is essential and granted exemptions from the lockdown to fuel trucks in their domains,” Mr Kyari said.
He urged people to avoid panic buying and hoarding and ensure they buy only the quantity they would need.
“There is no need to buy more than you require at any time. We will keep you supplied!” he assured.
