Victor EzejaFollowing the disruption of fuel distribution in Nigeria recently as a result of detection of contaminated Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), the Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) has announced commencement of 24-hour supply of the product from all its depots and retail outlets across the country.
A statement by the NNPC on Tuesday indicated that the company and major oil marketers have started operations in order to attend to many people who are on dire need of the petroleum products.
NNPC management said it had ordered quarantine of the product due to the discovery of methanol-blended petrol in the distribution chain, adding that it was a “necessary step to safeguard our customers from the potential impact of this PMS grade on vehicles and machineries.”
The fuel contamination was said to have led to damage of engines of vehicles and machineries in some cities in Nigeria such as Lagos and Abuja.
NNPC said it has over one billion litres of certified PMS stock, and over 2.3 billion litres scheduled for delivery between now and end of February 20 as part of it’s restocking strategy to avert scarcity of the product.
The statement reads, “NNPC Ltd wishes to reassure Nigerians that it has put adequate measures in place to accelerate nationwide distribution of PMS earlier disrupted by the quarantine of methanol-blended petrol. The quarantine was a necessary step to safeguard our customers from the potential impact of this PMS grade on vehicles and machineries.
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“As of today, NNPC has over One (1) billion Litres of certified PMS stock that is safe for use in vehicles and machineries.
“In order to accelerate distribution across the country, we have commenced 24-hour operations at our Depots and Retail outlets.
“As part of NNPC’s strategic restocking, over 2.3 billion litres of PMS is scheduled for delivery between now and end of February 2022, which will restore sufficiency level above the national target of 30 days.
“The Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), Depot Owners & Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) and Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) have also commenced 24-hour loading and dispensing activities in some of their designated outlets.”
NNPC stated that its monitoring team is collaborating with the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and other Security Agencies to ensure smooth distribution of fuel nationwide.
It also urged Nigerians to avoid panic-buying, noting that there is sufficient quantity of the product available in the country, while efforts are being made to “accelerate distribution to all filling stations.”
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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