Finally, Buhari speaks on fuel scarcity

President Buhari

FOLLOWING mounting pressure from the public for him to personally address the debilitating fuel scarcity in the country, President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday spoke out for the first time, expressing his sympathy for Nigerians over their suffering.

In a statement personally signed by him and posted on his verified twitter handle, he said the scarcity was regrettable.

The president revealed that he was being briefed regularly on the matter, assuring that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) was on top of the situation.

He said: “The fuel scarcity being experienced nationwide is regrettable. I sympathise 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 and 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.”

Nigerians have been vociferous especially on the social media in their calls for President Buhari who is also the Minster of Petroleum to address the issue.

He had refrained from speaking publicly about it since the scarcity developed weeks ago until now.

David Olagunju