NNPC petrol scarcity: Cars queue to buy petrol at the NNPC Mega petrol station in Abuja, Nigeria March 19, 2020. REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPC) on Wednesday said it has over 1 billion litres of clean Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, in its stock for nationwide distribution.
It also said 2.3 billion litres of PMS would arrive in Nigeria between now and the end of the month to restore sufficiency.
The petrol supply chain was disrupted last week when the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) announced that it discovered methanol quantities above Nigeria’s specifications.
NNPC, the regulator and sole importer of petrol products in Nigeria, accused four marketers, including its own Duke Oil, as the importers of the adulterated petrol.
“NNPC Ltd wishes to reassure Nigerians that it has put adequate measures in place to accelerate the nationwide distribution of PMS earlier disrupted by the quarantine of methanol-blended petrol,” NNPC said in a statement.
It said the quarantine was a necessary step to safeguard its customers from the potential impact of this PMS grade on vehicles and machinery.
“As of today, NNPC has over One (1) billion Litres of certified PMS stock that is safe for use in vehicles and machinery,” NNPC said.
The importers of the bad fuel, according to NNPC, includes MRS which made the importation through a vessel named MT Bow Pioneer; Emadeb/Hyde/AY Maikifi/Brittania-U Consortium through a vessel identified as MT Tom Hilde; Oando through a vessel named MT Elka Apollon; and Duke Oil through MT Nord Gainer vessel.
Emadeb-led Consortium, MRS and Oando denied the allegation and said NNPC was the regulator of the market.
NNPC threatened sanctions on the culprits but is yet to speak on the measures. But the firms have refuted the claims made by NNPC.
NNPC, however, noted that it had started running 24-hour operations at its depots and fuel stations to bridge the gap in the supply chain.
“As part of NNPC’s strategic restocking, over 2.3 billion litres of PMS is scheduled for delivery between now and the end of February 2022, which will restore sufficiency level above the national target of 30 days,” NNPC said.
“The Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, Depot Owners & Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria have also commenced 24-hour loading and dispensing activities in some of their designated outlets.
“Furthermore, NNPC’s monitoring team is collaborating with the Authority (NMDPRA) and other Security Agencies to ensure smooth distribution of PMS nationwide.”
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