President Buhari apologizes to Nigerians over fuel scarcity and blackouts; offers explanations

President Muhammadu Buhari has apologized to Nigerians over the extended fuel scarcity in the country and the discomforts effected by it.

In a statement released by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President apologized, saying that in his seven years in office, his administration had effectively avoided such a situation.

The statement reads;

“The administration knows the fuel shortage has placed a strain on Nigerian citizens and businesses, but relief is on the way. I specially apologise to all sections of the society for this.

The government is working round the clock to attend to this issue. An action plan agreed earlier this month is being implemented to address the scarcity. Working together with the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), this plan is now bearing fruit.

“Sufficient fuel supply has returned to a handful of states, with the queues at stations falling. In the coming days, we expect this to be the case across the rest of the country. Looking to the longer term, funds are being targeted toward keeping fuel availability affordable for the country.

“The international energy markets have surged drastically in recent months, the government will however ensure that consumers are protected against these price spikes.”

The President stated that he had recently learned that certain people were acting inappropriately at the depots and among fuel station managers.

He urged the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the Nigerian Midstream the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), and the country’s entire policing agencies to take stern measures against those guilty.

Speaking on the black outs, He said:

“The blackouts seen in the national grid are also being addressed,” he assured Nigerians. “A dip in hydroelectric generation due to seasonal pressures has coincided with technical and supply problems at thermal stations.

“On this, the government is also working tirelessly to resolve the issues at the latter to guarantee sufficient power flows into the national grid.”