Fuel queues relax across Abuja as Buhari suspends subsidy removal

Queues for premium motor spirit (PMS) at filling stations in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) following an artificial scarcity have eased off.
As of Sunday, normalcy had been restored as many fuel stations at the Central Business District and Nyanya-Karu-Kurudu-Orozo-Karshi axis sold at normal rate of N165 per litre and dispensed with all pumping machines.
Last week, many fuel stations were closed, while others were seen hoarding or dispensing at low rates across the Nigerian capital.
This continued, in spite of assurances given by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) that it had an abundant stock of PMS to meet domestic needs, hence panic buying should be avoided.
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Abuja Zonal Office had said the artificial fuel scarcity experienced in FCT was in anticipation of subsidy removal.
Roselyn Wilkie, Zonal Operations Controller, in an interview, said that the fuel scarcity was artificial, mainly in anticipation of fuel subsidy removal and the resultant panic buying.
On January 25, President Muhammadu Buhari directed an 18-month suspension of the removal of subsidy on PMS.
(NAN)
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