Group Seeks Collaborative Efforts to Tackle Fuel Scarcity

Ejiofor Alike

Ahead of April 7 deadline given by the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. IbeKachikwu for the current fuel scarcity to begin to ease, the Niger Delta Indigenous Movement for Radical Change (NDIMRC) has called for collaborative efforts among all stakeholders to tackle the lingering product shortages.

It has also hailed the intervention of Kachikwu on the crisis within the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), saying the resolution of the dispute would contribute immensely in addressing the current product supply challenges.

The oil monitoring group also urged marketers and other stakeholders not to sabotage the efforts to ease the current scarcity just as it lauded the minister for his courage to tender an apology to Nigerians over the fuel crisis in the country at a recent meeting with Senate Committee on Petroleum Downstream.

In a press statement signed by its President, Nelly Emma, Secretary, John Sailor and Public Relations Officer (PRO), Stanley Mukoro, the group appealed to Nigerians to support efforts being made by the minister to end the fuel crisis in April.

The group said it was impressed with the presentation of the minister during the meeting with Senate Committee on Petroleum Downstream and pleaded with major and independent marketers to give the minister the needed support to end the fuel scarcity.

While alleging that the fuel scarcity was aggravated by acts of sabotage by cabals, who are against the reforms being carried out at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the group said: “It is very clear to all now that the oil cabals are out to frustrate the petroleum resources minister, but they will not succeed.”

“As patriotic Nigerians, we should all work against the cabals who are making things very difficult for our people. We should all partner Kachikwu to end the lingering fuel scarcity. There some people out there who are deriving joy from the fuel crisis; we should shame such people. There are entrenched interests opposed to the ongoing reforms within the oil sector and they are those behind the fuel crisis. We must not allow them to have their way and we are glad that the minister has made it clear to those calling for his head that he will not resign because he has a job to do,” the group stated.

“Kachikwu is not insensitive to the plight of the people and he has expressed theses pains when he appeared before the Senate Committee. Let us put those who may be out to ensure that there is no end to the fuel scarcity on check. We know that there are some elements out there who are not happy with the efforts at the NNPC,” the group added

The group lauded the minister for wading into the lingering crises within the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), describing it as a demonstration of the willingness of the minister to end petrol scarcity across the country.

“And this is why we are urging Nigerians to support the minister. We are glad that IPMAN has promised to partner the minister on the fuel crisis. We want to implore all Nigerians that all hands must be on deck to end the fuel scarcity”.

The group described as unfortunate, the recent verbal attacks on the minister by former Governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Tinubu, saying that Kachikwu’s presentation at the Senate has resolved the issue.