NNPC, IPMAN differ on explanation for ongoing gas shortage in Lagos, different cities

The Nigerian Nationwide Petroleum Firm (NNPC) Restricted and the Unbiased Petroleum Entrepreneurs Affiliation of Nigeria (IPMAN) have differed on the precise trigger for the continuing gas shortage in some components of the nation.

In the previous few days, many Nigerians have been grappling with petrol shortage as queues have surfaced in filling stations throughout the nation. Some stations promote petrol above N230 per litre whereas the black market worth is as excessive as N300.

Amid the shortage, there have been insinuations that oil entrepreneurs could also be hoarding the product to drive a hike within the worth.

In what seems to be their first official response to the disaster within the downstream oil trade, the NNPC blamed the gas shortage and lengthy queues on the filling stations on some street tasks occurring in Lagos.

In line with NNPC’s Govt Vice President, downstream, Adeyemi Adetunju, the gridlock is easing because the NNPC has programmed vessels and vans to unconstrained depots, with huge load outs from depots to numerous states being intently monitored.

“The current queues in Lagos are largely as a result of ongoing street infrastructure tasks round Apapa and entry street challenges in some components of Lagos depots. The gridlock is easing out and NNPC has programmed vessels and vans to unconstrained depots and big load outs from depots to numerous states are intently being monitored.”

Adetunju added that the NNPC has a “nationwide petrol inventory of over 2 billion litres. That is equal to over 30 days of sufficiency.

However IPMAN blamed the shortage on the distribution disaster brought on by vandalism of depots belonging to the Nigerian Nationwide Petroleum Company (NNPC).

Talking in Lagos on Wednesday, Chinedu Okoronkwo, IPMAN president, mentioned since 80 p.c of NNPC depots have been vandalised, the product is now being saved within the depots of personal people, who bear the price of transporting the product from the ports to their depots.

“It is extremely necessary to know the place we (IPMAN) belong inside the chain. This product – PMS – is the product the federal government remains to be paying subsidy for, that’s the authorities brings it in – NNPC,” the IPMAN president mentioned.

“Keep in mind that almost all of the NNPC depots will not be working, over 80 p.c of them, due to vandalism. Now we have no less than 21 (referring to NNPC depots) that I can rely. Once they carry this product in, they now start to place it in non-public depots and pay them triple fees.

“Those that get from NNPC straight, it’s N148.19 per litre. These non-public tank farm house owners, by the point they start to place their very own fees, which contain hiring vessels, NIMASA, NPA, and loads of issues related, from their depots, you may get it for both N185 or N210.