Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, the Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), has assured Nigerians of the availability of petroleum products during the festive season while addressing concerns about fair pricing and accurate dispensing. During an unannounced tour of fuel stations in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, Lokpobiri emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring that citizens receive full value for their money.
The minister’s visit began shortly after his arrival at the Bayelsa State International Airport. Accompanied by officials of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), he inspected several stations, including Rain Oil at Etegwe, an NNPC affiliate station, Rano Oil at Opolo, and the NNPC mega station at Berger Junction. At each location, Lokpobiri personally requested pump attendants to dispense fuel, verifying that customers were receiving the correct volume of product.
In an interview, Lokpobiri highlighted the significance of his visit, stating that it was to ensure compliance with the deregulation policies implemented under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. He expressed satisfaction with the availability of petroleum products, attributing the steady supply to the deregulation efforts that have removed bottlenecks in the oil sector.
According to Lokpobiri, the current administration has maintained fuel availability during the high-demand festive season for two consecutive years. He remarked that past seasons often saw shortages and inflated prices, but deregulation has allowed market forces to stabilize supply. He also stressed the government’s focus on monitoring distribution to prevent fraud and ensure that consumers are not shortchanged.
During the inspections, Lokpobiri identified discrepancies in two fuel stations where pumps were not dispensing the correct volume. He instructed the operators to recalibrate their pumps and warned that he would return unannounced to verify compliance. The minister cautioned filling station owners and distributors against engaging in sharp practices, warning that violators would face the full weight of the law.
Lokpobiri urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and report any irregularities in fuel dispensing. He emphasized that the government’s priority is to ensure that deregulation benefits all citizens by providing consistent product availability and eliminating exploitative practices. His commitment to enforcing transparency in the petroleum sector signals a robust effort to rebuild trust between consumers and fuel providers.