(Ecofin Agency) - The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has said that plans by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to source foreign exchange for oil marketers will help ease the fuel scarcity situation in the country.

According to the South-West Chairman of NUPENG, Tokunbo Korodo (photo), NNPC as the only importer of petrol was not able to supply the product all through the country.

He noted that most oil marketers in the country so far, have not been able to import petrol into the country due to the fact that they could not access foreign exchange. Most oil depots in the country relied on the distribution from NNPC.

“The only solution to the present scarcity of fuel is for the CBN to assist the oil marketers in accessing forex to commence importation of petrol. NNPC, which at present, is the sole importer cannot distribute nationwide but private depots through their depots can do it better. Getting the forex for oil marketers will go a long way to maintain steady supply,” he told Independent Nigeria.

Korodo added that the country will require constant supply of petrol to filling stations before it can end the current.

He however, advise NNPC to instantly source for foreign exchange for the oil marketers for the recommencement of the importation of petrol in the country.

Anita Fatunji