Maikanti Baru, the group managing director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), has stated that the days of fuel scarcity are over.
Maikanti Baru on Tuesday, January 9, 2018, assured Nigerians that there would no longer be fuel scarcity which had caused unbearable queues for Nigerians especially during the yuletide.
Baru said this in Abuja at the 2018/2019 crude oil term contract bid opening.
According to him, the opening of bids is an indication of President Muhammadu Buhari’s drive for transparency and accountability in the conduct of government business.
Although the fuel scarcity has ended in major Nigerian cities, filling stations in many towns outside Abuja now sell petrol at about N200 per litre against the N145 official price. The NNPC chief did not, however, speak on this.
“I am happy that this problem has been dealt with and the few pockets of non-compliance have been tackled.
“It was unfortunate that due to the behaviour of a few bad eggs, the Christmas was a pain. We hope you will never be part of this incident and we also hope this type of thing never happens in the future.“NNPC is determined that this year there will be no fuel shortage. Definitely, we have seen the last of it” he said.
Baru warned those who would be selected after the bid against indulging in sharp practices. He said NNPC’s focus was to enhance production volume while ensuring that the “best value is realized through competitive marketing of our crude grades to international refineries and graders”
He urged the bidders not to patronize fraudsters who promise off-takers selection assistance.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the bid ceremony, Baru said the evaluation would take three to four weeks, adding that 16 percent of the crude was going to North America.
