The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, has assured Nigerians that Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, will be available across the country by the weekend.

The minister said this while briefing State House correspondents after a meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday, September 5, 2024.

The meeting was also attended by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu; and the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari.

The Star recalls that the NNPCL, on Tuesday, September 3, increased the pump price of petrol from N617 per litre to N897 litre at its outlets.

The independent marketers also adjusted their petrol pump prices to between N930 and N1,200 per litre.

Speaking on Thursday, Lokpobiri said the meeting was at the instance of President Bola Tinubu, who, he said, was concerned about the hardship being faced by Nigerians.

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He, however, enjoined Nigerians to shun panic buying, saying that petrol is available in the country.

The minister said: “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 areas, much higher in some other locations, and much more higher in other areas.

“But we believe that by the time there’s availability of products across the country, the price itself will stabilise.

“But what is important is that the 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 Nigerians to know.

“There’s enough product in the country to be able to meet the demands of Nigerians. There should be no panic buying. We also believe that Nigerians need to know that the government is not fixing prices.”

The Star