Petroleum minister pays unscheduled visit to filling stations in Yenagoa

By Nathan Nwakamma 

The Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), Sen. Heinekein Lokpobiri on Saturday paid an unscheduled visit to some petrol stations in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa capital.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the random visit was to ascertain the status of petrol supply following the Federal Government’s deregulation of the downstream sector.

Lokponiri, who visited the Rainoil filling station at Edepie, accompanied by officials of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

The minister also visited an NNPC retail outlet at Edepie, Rano Oil at Opolo, and an NNPC mega filling station on the Sani Abacha expressway.

At the filling stations visited, the minister requested the pump attendants to dispense fuel to enable him to ascertain that the fuel being sold to the public was commensurate with the price.

Lokpobiri said his findings indicated that the full deregulation of petrol prices following the removal of subsidy was yielding results with product availability during the festive season.

He noted that this was the second Christmas under the President Bola Tinubu administration with fuel very available.

“You can recall that the norm has been that during festive seasons when there is more demand there is always product scarcity leading to price hikes.

“But last year there was product availability and this year there is product availability and the prices are stabilising,” Lokpobiri said.

According to him, the emphasis of government in the deregulation era is product availability at precise volumes.

“What we have seen in the past is that somebody is saying that he is selling 100 litres and what you are buying is 50 litres.

“That is why without any notice, I am going from one filling station to another to ascertain the exact situation first-hand with availability, prices and measurement of volume.

“You can see the price disparity; some filling stations are selling at ₦1,050, NNPC Mega station is selling at ₦999, others are selling for ₦1,020, that is the real essence of deregulation, “ Lokpobiri said.

He said it has always been the practice that in a deregulated scenario, the price will find its level, while the regulators ensure that products are available for the benefit of Nigerians.