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Following a resurgence of fuel queues in the nation’s capital and the tepid excuses for the scarcity just offered by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), Prominent Civil rights advocacy group- HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) has told the NNPC that her fundamental mandate is to create permanent solutions to artificial fuel scarcity in Nigeria and not to continue to dish out unsustainable excuses for this abnormal scarcity of the products in a nation that ranks as the 7th largest producer of crude oil Worldwide. 

HURIWA recalled that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, NNPC, Limited has blamed the queues for fuel in parts of Abuja on the low loadouts at depots which it said usually happen during long public holidays. Another contributing factor, NNPC said, could be the increase in fuel purchase which it described as also usual with returning residents of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, from the public holidays. 

HURIWA recalled too that NNPC claimed that it had, however, in conjunction with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority and their marketing partners taken necessary measures to ramp up loadouts from all depots. That, it said, would return the situation to normal.

HURIWA however is dissatisfied with the explanation made by the NNPC because according to the civil society body, most filling stations in Abuja were shut down following scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, popularly known as fuel even as the HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA said the NNPC which has continued to export Nigeria’s crude oil and in turn import fuel into Nigeria instead of finding lasting panacea to the crises has continues to manufacture  untenable excuses for the perennial and intermittent fuel scarcity in the Country because apparently,  her officials are benefitting from the suffering of Nigerian motorists who go through a lot of huddles to buy petrol.

Lanenting that the sudden fuel scarcity  situation caused long queues of vehicles at various filling stations in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, HURIWA said it Will also lead to poor productivity by both workers in the public and private sectors of the economy  because the bulk of these workers will be engaged in searching for fuel to power their vehicles and those using public commercial buses will now have to cough out higher transportation fares which is built in into their Monthly pay package.

HURIWA said the fuel scarcity will impact negatively on the costs of living of Nigerians. 

HURIWA reminded the newly unbundled and re-energised that during the recent inauguration of the Board of directors, the President, Muhammad Buhari (GCFR) reminded the Board members that they came on board as a result of the reforms put forward by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, which seeks to reposition the Nigerian petroleum industry to a commercially viable and competitive industry in line with global business dynamics and best practices.

HURIWA quoted President Muhammadu Buhari as telling NNPC the following: ”The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited is mandated to focus on profitability and continuous value creation beyond the simple fulfilment of legal and regulatory requirements.

”NNPC Limited is expected to operate at par with its industry peers across the world, while acting as Enabler Company that will foster the development of other sectors of our Economy.

”The inauguration of this Board is a major step in the ongoing transition to a more viable petroleum industry that will attract investment to support our economic growth and generate employment to millions of our people,” he said.

President Buhari directed that there should be full alignment and synergy between NNPC Limited, the Upstream Regulatory Commission and the Midstream & Downstream Regulatory Authority in compliance with the provisions of the law in all respects to deliver the onerous reforms envisaged for the energy industry.

“NNPC Limited is expected to operate at par with its industry peers elsewhere in the world, while acting as Enabler Company that will foster the development of other sectors of our Economy.”

HURIWA recalled the following Board members who were inaugurated thus: Senator Okadigbo, Chairman, Mele Kolo Kyari, Chief Executive Officer, Umar I. Ajiya, Chief Financial Officer, Dr Tajudeen Umar (North East), Mrs Lami O. Ahmed (North Central), Mallam Mohammed Lawal (North West), Engr. Henry Obih (South East), Barrister Constance Harry Marshal (South South), Chief Pius Akinyelure (South West), Dr Nasir Sani Gwarzo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources and Aliyu Ahmed, Permanent Secretary, Minister, Finance, Budget and National Planning.

HURIWA therefore faulted these rounds of lazy excuses by NNPC whenever fuel becomes scarce just as the Rights group said the NNPC must be ready and wiring to demonstrate her capacity to work out seamless solutions to these man-made artificial scarcity that is only done to unleash economic adversities on millions of Nigerians who depends of their daily incomes to stay alive.

HURIWA charges the NNPC to wake up from institutional slumber and serve Nigerians competently in line with the mandates of the new NNPC. 

COMRADE EMMANUEL ONWUBIKO:
NATIONAL COORDINATOR:

HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA). MAY 9TH 2022.