- Queues‘ll end Wednesday, says NNPCL
- Marketers threaten withdrawal of service of over N200bn debt
- Reps summon minister over scarcity, NANS mulls nationwide protest
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and oil marketers have continued to sing discordant tunes on how to end the lingering nationwide fuel scarcity.
While the NNPCL said the ongoing shortfall in supply of petroleum products and queues for the products will be cleared out by May 1, (today) petroleum products marketers under the umbrella of the Independent Petroleum Association of Nigeria have threatened to stop supply of petrol over non-payment of outstanding N200 billion bridging claims.
NNPCL’s spokesperson, Femi Soneye, said in Lagos on Tuesday that the company currently has more than 1.5 billion litres of product available, enough to last for at least 30 days.
However, he said some individuals might be exploiting the situation to maximize profit.
“Unfortunately, we experienced a three-day disruption in distribution due to logistical issues, which has since been resolved.
“However, as you know, overcoming such disruptions typically requires double the amount of time to return to normal operations. Some folks are taking advantage of this situation to maximize profits.
“Thankfully, product scarcity has been minimal lately, but these folks might be exploiting the situation for unwarranted gain.
“The lines will be cleared out between today and tomorrow,” Soneye said.
However, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria has threatened to cripple the supply of Premium Motor Spirit over non-payment of ₦200bn bridging claims.
The association’s Unit Chairman and spokesperson, Aba Depot, Oliver Okolo, who made the threat, said it was with the backing of the IPMAN’s national leadership.
He claimed that the debt is being owed by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission.
In a communiqué released after a press conference on Tuesday, Okolo said NMDPRA failed to pay the ₦200bn debt despite a directive for payment from the Petroleum Minister (Oil) Heineken Lokpobiri.
The IPMAN deport Chairman claimed that since the directive by the minister in February 2024, only ₦13bn had been paid to their members, saying that the unpaid claim had crippled their businesses.
“We are extremely distressed and depressed by the laidback attitude of the leadership of the Nigerian Midstream Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), towards the survival of our member’s businesses, arising from NMDPRA’s deliberate delay and refusal to offset the debt of over N200 Billion owed our members, which has consequently led to the deaths of many of our members and the unfortunate collapse of their businesses,” Okolo said.
He blamed the NNPCL, the sole importer of petroleum products, for the current nationwide petrol scarcity, adding that some of its members have “completely” shut down their businesses, and retrenched their employees.
“We have watched with apprehension also, the unpatriotic attitude of the leadership of the NMDPRA to offset this debt that has been accrued to us since September 2022. As businessmen and women, our members acquired bank loans to keep their fuel retail outlets running daily across the nooks and crannies of Nigeria, to serve the teeming population of Nigerians.
“However, it is demoralising to know that many of our members have gone bankrupt and have become financially insolvent as a result of their inability to meet their financial obligations to their banks, arising wholly from their inability to get their monies from the NMDPRA. Consequently, also, the banks have taken over the business premises of many of our members. As indigenous organisations, and Depot Chairmen, we are unhappy that rather than receiving support from the government to boost our businesses, we are being discouraged, by the head of NMDPRA.
“It is noteworthy to recall and state here that at a stakeholders meeting held on the 20th of February, 2024 with Mr. Heineken Lokpobiri, the Honourable Minister of Petroleum Resources (Oil), and the NSA Nuhu Ribadu, Engr. Farouk Ahmed, the Chief Authority of NMDPRA, was mandated by Mr. Heineken Lokpobiri to clear the entire debt in 40 days. However today, we have crossed the 40 days time-lapse given to the NMDPRA to clear the debt, and it is shameful to state that only the paltry sum of N13 billion has been paid, thus going the whole length to ignore our plight without remorse and without recourse to the Honourable Minister’s directive,” according to the statement.
Okolo also claimed that the NNPCL imports the products, and supplies to private depots who then sell to them at exorbitant prices of between ₦820 and ₦950 per litre, adding that IPMAN members pay an extra ₦2m to transport it to other parts of the country, making it difficult for them to sell to Nigerians at the agreed pump price.
The IPMAN members called on President Bola Tinubu to closely look into the matter, which according to them, are highly detrimental to their businesses and reverse it forthwith, as it is bound to impact negatively on the masses thereafter.
“We see no reason why there should be an increment of over 500% on the Sales and Storage License by the NMDPRA. We totally reject it. We also hereby call on the Federal Government of Nigeria to wholly intervene forthwith in these lingering issues between the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and the Nigerian Midstream & Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.
“We are poised to take far-reaching decisions that may cripple the supply and sales of petroleum products across Nigeria, if our demands are not met within the shortest period,” the group said.
Reps summon minister over fuel scarcity
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives on Tuesday summoned the Minister of Petroleum Resources over the nationwide scarcity of petrol.
The resolution of the House followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by the member representing Makarfi/Kudan Federal Constituency, Shehu Ajilo at the resumption of plenary on Tuesday.
President Bola Tinubu is the Minister of Petroleum Resources while Heineken Lokpobiri is the Minister of State (Petroleum Resources). The lawmakers did not however indicate if it was Tinubu or Lokpobiri that was summoned.
The Minister is expected to brief the lawmakers on the fuel crisis and measures to address the same.
NANS mulls nationwide protest over fuel scarcity, electricity tariff hike
Also, the National Association of Nigerian Students has said it would organise a nationwide protest on May 7, 2024 owing to the ongoing fuel scarcity and electricity crisis.
The body also lamented the failure of the government to address the challenges affecting the power sector.
In a statement made available to journalists on Tuesday by the body’s Senate President, Akinteye Babatunde, NANS said the move was in response to the dire circumstances inflicted upon Nigerian students by the ongoing fuel scarcity and electricity crisis, we are mobilizing for a nationwide protest.
“Our primary objective is to demand the removal of key officials whom we hold accountable for exacerbating these issues,” the body said.
The students also noted that they were calling for the immediate removal of “the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, Mele Kyari, and, the Minister for Power Bayo Adelabu as it is evident to us that their leadership has contributed to the mismanagement and mishandling of vital energy resources, plunging the nation into turmoil.”
NANS said to amplify its message and ensure widespread participation, it has strategically organised the protest to take place across various zones of the country.
“Each zone will host its demonstration at designated locations to maximize visibility and impact as follows; Zone A: Abuja Junction along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway; Zone C: Airport Road in Abuja; Zone D: Lagos-Ibadan Expressway; Zone F: Onitsha-Asaba Head Bridge; Zone E: Wuntin Dada along the Bauchi-Jos Road on Tuesday, May 7th, 2024.”
Speaking further, NANS said, “It is a collective stand against the systemic failures and neglect that have perpetuated the cycle of hardship and suffering among the populace.
“We firmly believe that the removal of Mele Kyari and Honorable Adelabu is essential to address the root causes of the fuel scarcity and electricity crisis. We demand accountability, transparency, and decisive action from the government to alleviate the plight of the Nigeria students.
“As students united in our resolve, we urge all Nigerians to join us in this protest and stand together in the fight for a brighter future for all.”
