In February 2022, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd accused four marketers of importing the off-spec Premium Motor Spirit into the country.
The companies, according to NNPC, include 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 the MT Nord Gainer vessel.
The evacuation of the off-spec Premium Motor Spirit by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. resulted in a scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit, also known as Petrol, across the country.
In order to cushion the effect of the evacuation, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited says it has over 1 billion litres of safe 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.
NNPC disclosed this on Tuesday, February 15th, 2022 on its official Twitter page.
The statement reads, “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.”
“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, it said.
NNPC added that it had started running 24-hour operations at its depots and fuel stations to bridge the gap in the supply chain.
“In order to accelerate distribution across the country, we have commenced 24-hour operations at our depots and retail outlets, “it added.
“As part of NNPC’s strategic restocking, over 2.3 billion litres of PMS are scheduled for delivery between now and the end of February 2022, which will restore a sufficiency level above the national target of 30 days.
“The Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, Depot Owners and 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 authorities (NMDPRA) and other security agencies to ensure the smooth distribution of PMS nationwide.
“NNPC implores Nigerians to avoid panic buying as there is a sufficient volume of PMS in the country and effort is being made to accelerate distribution to all filling stations,” the statement concluded.
The 24-hour loading and dispensing activities initiated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. are a welcome development that should be embarked upon across the country.
This will ensure the queues disappear, black marketers fade away and normalcy returns to our filling stations across the country.
Adequate monitoring should be extended to the satellite towns by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) as some marketers are sabotaging the excellent initiatives of the NNPC Limited.
