The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA advised for security beefed up at petrol stations to check the activities of street hooligans and black market dealers.
Executive Director, Distribution Systems, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure, NMDPRA Ogbugo Ukoha, made the appeal during a visit to some filling stations and depots in Apapa, Lagos. He also apologised to Nigerians for the inconveniences caused by the current scarcity of petrol saying it was deeply regrettable.
Ukoha added that the authority had received complaints from marketers, especially in Lagos and Abuja, that their station attendants were being harassed by black market operators for refusing to sell fuel in jerry cans.
The Executive Director said the focus was to ramp up supply and eliminate the queues in filling stations across the country, adding that four vessels were discharging at Apapa Port, with more being expected.
On his part, Chairman, Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, MOMAN Olumide Adeosun noted that his members would continue to work with the regulatory agencies and other stakeholders to restore normal supply of petrol.
