Long queues of vehicles returned to filling stations in Abuja and Lagos as well as other states yesterday as members of the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) embarked on strike over the high cost of diesel (Automotive Gas Oil).
The association, it was learnt, has been in conflict with the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) on the issue before it decided to go on strike.
The association said the high cost of diesel impacts adversely on the operation of its members.
The management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) reacting to the situation said Nigerians need not go into panic-buying as the corporation would ensure steady supply of fuel across the country.
The Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the corporation, Dr. Levi Ajuonuma, said: "The management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has urged consumers of petroleum products in Lagos, Abuja and other parts of the country not to engage in panic buying or hoarding of premium motor spirit (PMS) following the sudden emergence of fuel queues.
"I wish to reassure consumers of petroleum products nationwide that the NNPC has well over 41 days sufficiency of all petroleum products and negotiations are already in advance stage with NARTO to restore normalcy.
Ajuonuma explained that the sudden emergence of fuel queues in filling stations was as a result of the ongoing strike by members of NARTO who are demanding for 12 per cent freight margin in the PPPRA template.
"The sudden queues are the result of the dispute between NARTO and PPPRA, adding that it has nothing to do with the NNPC or its subsidiary, the Products and Pipeline Marketing Company (PPMC)," he said.
The NNPC spokesman noted that PPPRA, the agency saddled with the responsibility of moderating price volatility, and to regulate activities of operators in the downstream sector, has swung into action to resolve the dispute.
He also appealed to consumers of petroleum products not to engage in panic buying and hoarding of the product as all hands are on deck to resolve the problem.
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