Investigations by NE revealed that Contrary to claims by the National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) that the fuel scarcity was caused by hoarding, the problem is a result of late release of import allocation to oil marketers, gap in importation and short-supply of petroleum products to filling stations.
It was gathered that the first quarter (Q1) import allocation released in February by the Petroleum Product Regulatory Pricing Agency (PPPRA) did not only come late, but made it difficult for major oil marketers to import products.
An independent marketer, who pleaded for anonymity, said the inability of government to place order for the first quarter allocation early has resulted in the shortage of the petroleum products.
“The truth is that the products are not available in Nigeria now. You can only stockpile the commodities that are at your disposal. NNPC is being economical with the truth. Instead of telling the public the true position of things as relates to fuel scarcity, they are playing around. The import allocation came late, and as such, marketers have to wait for at least two weeks to bring the products in. In between the period, there is tendency that they have run out of stocks.
The Chairman, Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMON), Femi Olawore said hoarding was not responsible for the scarcity of petroleum products that pervaded the country since last Thursday, adding that the problem is beyond that.
Olawore told The Nation that short-supply of the products has been the major problem in the country.
He said: “It is not true that hoarding is the chief cause of the lingering fuel scarcity.
However, we are making efforts to resolve the problems this week. NNPC is bringing the products to reduce the gap in supply and make them available to consumers. In fact, one marketer has just brought a shipload of fuel into the country. Before this week runs out, the problem would be resolve. Nigerians needs not panic as efforts are being made to proffer solution to the fuel scarcity.
Dr Omar Ibrahim, the Acting Group General Manager (Public Affairs) in NNPC, still insisted that fuel scarcity in Lagos was artificial.
Ibrahim said the corporation would introduce new measures to halt the “artificially-induced fuel scarcity.”
“NNPC, in conjunction with the Department of Petroleum Resources and the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, will commence detailed monitoring of fuel stations in Lagos and environs,” he said.
Ibrahim said the monitoring would also extend to other states of the federation to check the incidence of hoarding. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
Pls... Am askingoo, it is that uptil now that we dont refine fuel in our country...?
ReplyDeleteAm hearing importation inportation... Pls...clearify me broda's..
Yes ooo, up till now its importation and it will never stop as long as we have leaders like this on sit of our government so open ur eyes and get ready to take what is yours by force!!!
DeleteExactly what I was reading. ...
DeleteImportation, importation , Importation
Why must we depend on importation when we have abundant crude here,it's so sad our leaders are not visionary,countries that does not have a drop of crude are refining,why then nigeria,the so called giant of africa,the largest oil producing nation in africa has been replaced with the largest importer of oil in africa,what a shame for a country with over 150m people,I weep for my dear 9eja.
ReplyDeleteI think it is a curse to refine petroleum products in Nigeria
ReplyDeleteBut all this while I have been hearing that Nigeria has a reserve that can take us one month.Pls let Minister of petroleum order the NNPC to release the reserved fuel. After all it is because of gap in supply like this one that fuel is reserved.
ReplyDeleteyes ooooo we do not refine fuel in our country. so so importation.
ReplyDeleteDo nigeria still have a minister of petroleum,i know madam ''abracadabra''Diezani used to run d ministry but have heard nothing 4rm her since d shortages of petrol started.In a normal country with normal govt,if there r crisis in a sector,d minister in charge of such ministry leads not d dept under her which is NNPC
ReplyDeleteThe Fuel scarsity is a ploy to divert Nigerians attension from asking/probing the NNPC scam of $20m. The #whereisourmoney in the social media will died down and the attention will shift to fuel scasity.
ReplyDeleteYou have a point. ..
DeleteIt's a diversion
That is the leadership of badlock for you Nigerians shine your eyes well well 2015 is around d coner
ReplyDelete