The Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd., yesterday ordered a 24-hour loading and sales operations at all depots and retail outlets in the country.
The decision is in a bid to contain the current fuel scarcity and attendant long queues occasioned by the importation of contaminated premium motor spirit (PMS) also known as petrol, which has caused disruptions in the supply and distribution chain.
This is in addition to about 2.3 billion litres of PMS expected to arrive in Nigeria between now and February end that will restore normalcy and sufficiency in the supply chain.
The Group Executive Director, Downstream, NNPC, Adetunji Adeyemi, disclosed this while addressing journalists in Abuja.
He said: “The NNPC Ltd understands the current fuel supply disruptions in many parts of the country, which was caused by the discovery and subsequent quarantine of methanol-blended cargoes of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly referred to as petrol.
“To address the situation, over 2.3 billion litres will arrive in the country between now and the end of February 2022. This will restore sufficiency level above the national target of 30 days.
“As of today, NNPC has one billion litres of petrol in stock, and the petrol being dispensed today at various fuel stations in the country is safe.
“In order to accelerate PMS distribution across the country, NNPC has commenced 24 hours operations at all its depots and retail outlets,” he said.
NNPC has constituted a monitoring team, with the support of the Authority (NMDPRA), and other security agencies to ensure smooth distribution of PMS nationwide.
Adeyemi added that the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), Depot Owners and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), are also to commence 24 hours loading and dispensing activities in some of their designated outlets.
He continued: “NNPC has constituted a monitoring team, with the support of the Authority (NMDPRA), and other security agencies to ensure smooth distribution of PMS nationwide.
“NNPC implores Nigerians to avoid panic buying and assures that the ongoing efforts will be sustained to restore normalcy in a few days’ time.”
Since the scarcity ensued, black market operators are maximising profits with petrol selling for between N450 and N1,000/per litre, depending on the location and state, with the highest rates being experienced in Lagos and Abuja, where the shortages bite harder.
As a result, Adeyemi cautioned Nigerians to avoid panic buying, while assuring that the ongoing efforts would be sustained to restore normalcy in a few days’ time.
