He, however, added that this was not time to blame the government for fuel scarcity.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva has urged Nigerians to be patient with President Muhammadu Buhari's administration in finding solutions to the pervading fuel scarcity.
Sylva made the appeal on Sunday in a statement issued by his media aide Horatius Egua, NAN reports.
The minister noted that the hardship being suffered due to scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise called petrol, was regrettable. He, however, added that this was not time to blame the government for fuel scarcity.
“It is not a time to trade blames as is customary in Nigeria. It is, therefore, not a time to query anyone but a time to come together to salvage the plight of the average Nigerian,” Mr Sylva said.
He blamed the scarcity on inspection failure which allowed adulterated fuel into the country, nonetheless, the minister said it was regrettable.
“Let me once again appeal to Nigerians to be patient with the government in finding lasting solutions to the crisis,” Mr Sylva said.
Praising the NNPC for showing concern for the plight of Nigerians and apologising for the hardship caused by the fuel scarcity, he said, “This is unprecedented and shows that we on the government side are not afraid to take responsibility."
The minister also said the Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority has been working to ensure the problem is quickly corrected.