Amid fuel scarcity, Buhari promises to support Burundi with petroleum products

As Nigerians continue to grapple with the ripple effects of fuel shortages, President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday, pledged aid in the delivery of fuel to Burundi.

Mr. Buhari made the promise at the State House on Tuesday when he was the special envoy of the president of Burundi, Evariste I appreciate it.

According to a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the president promised that in the spirit of African solidarity and brotherhood, Nigeria will support the Republic of Burundi in different ways if needed.

The Nigerian president then promised to support the Burundians with fuel supplies.

“On the request for assistance in the area of ​​energy supply, especially fuel, by the leadership of Burundi, President Buhari said he understands what it feels like the country is suffering from energy shortages, and promised to get the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to review the request,” the statement said. mentioned.

In his speech, Audace Niyonzima, Burundi’s Minister of Finance, Budget, and Economic Planning, said the president of Burundi sends good wishes for the New Year to Nigeria and Mr. Buhari. He also wants the country to do well in the general elections scheduled for February and March.

“We pray that the polls will be peaceful and successful so that Nigeria can maintain her reputation as a bastion of peace and stability,” the Special Envoy said.

Mr. Buhari made the pledge as Nigerians continue to grapple with an energy crisis that has left households in the dark and crippled businesses across the country.

Scarcity of Fuel

In recent years, fuel shortages have worsened in Nigeria, causing queues at filling stations and leaving millions unable to fill up their cars and generators.

In recent months, especially since the government announced plans to remove fuel subsidies, Nigerians have found it difficult to get oil products at filling stations.

The shortage persists even though the government has repeatedly claimed that it has sufficient stocks of petroleum products.

In many parts of Nigeria, operators of filling stations where petroleum products are available, are sold at higher prices than the government’s pump prices.

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In December, in an effort to reduce the stress faced by Nigerians on a daily basis, the State Security Service in December issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and fuel marketers to address the ongoing shortage of petroleum in the country.

The secret police said they would “launch operations” across the country if the problem persists after two days.

But despite the threat, fuel shortages persist as motorists and other end-users continue to lament the scarcity of oil products even during holidays.