By Adewole Kehinde.
I was disturbed to read the headline “Fuel scarcity persists as NNPC releases 387.6 million litres” in some major print and online media.
Despite having over 1 billion litres of Premium Motor Spirit available in the country and the release of over 387 million litres to filling stations, scarcity persists and this is why I had to look into the obstacles.
According to a tweet by the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, the petrol was distributed to Nigerians through retail filling stations from February 14 to February 20, 2022, representing an average daily distribution of 55.4 million litres.
A breakdown of the NNPC Weekly National Evacuation Report released on Wednesday showed that 80 per cent of all the Premium Motor Spirit took place at 20 high loading depots, while 20 per cent took place at the other loading depots.
The NNPC said the top 20 high loading depots used were Pinnacle-Lekki, which evacuated the highest volume of 70.8 million litres; NIPCO, 22.6 million litres; and AITEO, 22.3 million litres.
Others include Swift, 16 million litres; 11 Plc, 15.9 million litres; Bovas Bulk, 15 million litres; and Frado, 14.6 million litres.
The NNPC named other depots to include Keonamex with 13.7 million litres; MRS Ltd., 11.9 million litres; Rainoil, 11.6 million litres; AYM Shafa, 11.2 million litres; and TSL, 11.2 million litres.
It continued, “Rainoil Lagos, 11.2 million litres; Matrix, 10 million litres; Conoil Lagos, 9.7 million litres; AA Rano, 8.8 million litres; Bluefin, 8.4 million litres; HOGL, 8.2 million litres; Ibafon Calabar, eight million litres; and Mainland, 7.5 million litres.”
With the distribution of 385.59 million litres in one week, the scarcity of petrol was arrested mildly, but the queues in Abuja and neighbouring Nasarawa and Niger states were seen on Wednesday.
As an investigative journalist, I went into probing to find out why the queue was persisting and linked it to the marketers.
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), through its National Vice President, Abubakar Maigandi, came out to tell Nigerians that its members preferred to sell petrol above the regulated litre pump price!
Maigandi was even bold enough to say its members “hoard the products to sell above the regulated price to make a marginal profit”.
The marketers who are supposed to compliment the giant stride of the NNPC with its recent
sufficient supply of Premium Motor Spirit after the withdrawal of the adulterated fuel is just out to sabotage the economies of Abuja and Lagos.
How do we explain why Premium Motor Spirit petrol is not scarce in Ibadan, Benin and other cities in Nigeria?
The truth is that the marketers are hoarding the products in Abuja and Lagos because the regulatory authorities are monitoring them and they are not allowed to sell above the regulated price.
Investigations have revealed that they prefer to divert to other cities where the regulatory authorities are monitoring them and sell above the pump price.
The Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited has done exceedingly well with supply and distribution. It is past time for marketers to abandon economic sabotage and ensure that queues at our gas stations vanish.
Also, the Regulatory Authority monitoring the filling stations should endeavour to work 24 hours a day, for now, to stop some unscrupulous marketers from taking advantage of innocent Nigerians by selling above the pump price.
On a final note, the Regulatory Authority should make available active and rapid response means for consumers to report any filling stations sabotaging the economy.
Adewole Kehinde is the publisher of Swift Reporters and can be reached via 08166240846, 08123608662. Email: kennyadewole@gmail.com
