Ajirioghene Imah
Amidst the unending fuel scarcity, the NNPC Limited has declared that it has about 1.2 billion litres of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) in stock, enough to ensure a robust supply of the product for at least 35 days.
In a statement issued by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPC Limited, Mr. Garba Deen Muhammad, he explained that the 2.1 billion litres represent 0.9 billion litres in all the land depots nationwide and 1.2 billion litres on marine vessels.
Garba said the company “plans to close the month of March 2023 with about 2.8 billion litres, which is equivalent to 47 days of sufficiency.
“The appearance of pockets of queues in Abuja and some parts of the country is largely due to restrictions in businesses and movement, to allow for the conduct of the Presidential and NASS elections and to enable Nigerians exercise their civic rights.’
However, operations have now resumed at the depots and trucks are being dispatched to various parts of the country. We expect normalcy to be restored in the next few days.
The National President of the Independent Petroleum Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, Elder Chinedu Okoronkwo said petrol supply would record continuous improvement in the coming weeks.
“There were indications that many tanker drivers might have slowed down their operations because of the fear of being attacked by touts during the elections. Once the elections are over, there would be serious improvement nationwide”, he said.
Similarly, the National Operations Controller of IPMAN, Mr Mike Osatuyi in another interview said there is adequate supply of petrol for now in Lagos and its environs because of the imported vessels are still discharging the products.
Tank farm owners, including A.A. RANO Nigeria Limited, JGold Nigeria Limited, Chipet International Limited, Emadeb Energy Services Limited, First Royal Oil Nigeria Limited, MAO Petroleum Company Limited, Menj Oil Limited, Ocean Pride Energy Services Limited, Stallionaire Nigeria Limited, Wosbab Energy Solutions Limited and Rainoil Limited, would take the product to their outlets as well as sell to independent marketers at government regulated price of N172 per litre.
NNPC Ltd. and all its partners and stakeholders will also continue to work together to ensure seamless distribution of petroleum products around the Gubernatorial and State Assembly elections”, he added.