Sufficient fuel will be available by weekend, govt not fixing price – Minister

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri

Sufficient fuel will be available by weekend, govt not fixing price – Minister

Minister of State Petroleum, Heineken Lokpobiri, has said sufficient petrol will be made available at filling stations across the country by weekend.

He also clarified that the Federal Government is not fixing the price of fuel, stressing that the sector had been deregulated.

He spoke on Thursday after he met with the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, along some relevant top government functionaries.

Speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting, Lokpobiri said, “We were summoned by the Vice President who was directed by Mr. President to summon this meeting and we have 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 in other areas.

“But we believe that by the time there is availability of products across the country, the price itself will stabilize.

“But what is important is that 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.”