The Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu, has apologized to Nigerians over his comments last week that “One of the trainings I did not receive is that of a magician,” saying then that the current petrol scarcity would continue till May.
Kachikkwu, who appeared before the Senate Committee on Petroleum today, assured that fuel queues will disappear across the nation by April.
The minister said however that while fuel scarcity will “definitely” end by April, Nigerians may have to wait till May for major revolution in the availability of the products.
Kachikwu said that 90 per cent of Nigerian depots were not functional and that most fuel products into Nigeria come from Europe, taking 14 days for fuel to land.
He promised that government would engage consultants to manage the depots, adding that advertisement to engage the consultants for management of the depots would start soon.
Kachikwu said that NNPC had doubled its usual supply to Abuja but that scarcity remained, even as he emphasized that refineries must function optimally in order to achieve efficiency in distribution.
“Refineries in Nigeria are old and dilapidated but with appropriate funds and retooling, they will be revived to full capacity.” [myad]
