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President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, directed Vice President, Kashim Shettima to summon the Minister of State, Petroleum, Heineken Lokpobiri; Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, Mele Kyari, and the National Security Advisor, NSA, over the recent petrol price hike and its scarcity across the country.
Also at the meeting was the Executive Director of Nigeria Mainstream, Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, Kalu Okuoha.
Speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting with the Vice President, Lokpobiri said: “We were summoned by the Vice President who was directed by Mr. President to summon this meeting.
“The Vice President summoned us and we’ve been with him to brief him about what is going on across the country.
“And what is important is for us to convey to Nigerians that the President is empathetic about what is going on in the country.
“He is concerned about the hardship of Nigerians, and that was why he directed the Vice President to call this meeting, for us to reflect on what is going on in the country.
“What is important is that products are available in the country, and we believe that between now and the weekend, there will be availability of products across the length and breadth of the country.
“The price could be high in some other areas, much higher in some other locations, and in some locations, much more than you know other areas.
“But we believe that by the time there is the availability of products across the country, the price itself will stabilise.
“What is important is that the government is not fixing prices. This sector is deregulated. And we believe that with the availability of products, the price will find its level. And this is important for Nigeria to know.
“The summary is that the President is empathetic about what’s going on. That’s why he directed this meeting.
“There is enough product in the country to be able to meet the demands of Nigerians. There should be no panic buying. And we also believe that Nigerians need to know that the government is not fixing prices. That is what I want to convey to Nigerians.”
