By Correspondent in Lokoja.
Inspite revalation by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPC), on Tuesday, that it had comnenced distribution of one billion litres of safe Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), known as petrol in its stock to various fuel stations nationwide, fuel remained a golden community in Lokoja, Kogi State, with pumb price sold above the N165 per litre approved by the government.
The Reporters recalls that Mr Adetunji Adeyemi, Group Executive Director, Downstream, NNPC, disclosed on Tuesday in Abuja while briefing Journalists, expressing optimism that the move would restore sufficiency level of the product above the national target of 30 days.
According to him, NNPC also noted that 2.3 billion litres of PMS would arrive Nigeria between now and February ending.
Our Correspondent who visited the some filling stations in Lokoja on Friday reports that has not made the much expected impact as many filling remain closed to the public and few stations did so at prices above the approved price of the product, ranging from N200 and above.
The Reporters further reports that the development had started having telling effect on the transport fare which has increased considerably.
Our Correspondent reports that an okada trip that cost N50.00 before the scarcity of fuel has attracted extra N20.00 or double, depending on the distance, same with food items which has also increased.
Adeyemi attributed the scarcity of the product in many states of the federation to fuel supply disruptions occasioned by the discovery and subsequent quarantine of methanol blended cargoes of PMS.
“As of today , NNPC has one billion litres of petrol in stock and the petrol being dispensed today at various fuel stations in the country is safe.
“In order to accelerate PMS distribution across the country, NNPC has commenced operations at its Depots and Retail Outlets,” he said.
He disclosed that Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, Depot Owners and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria and Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria had commenced 24 hours loading and dispensing activities in some of their designated outlets.
He added that NNPC has constituted a monitoring team with the support of the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Authority (NMDPRA) and other security agencies to ensure smooth distribution of PMS nationwide.
He implored Nigerians to avoid panic buying aassuring that the ongoing efforts would be sustained to restore normalcy in few days time.
Some members of the public, who ecpressed their feelings known in separate interview with our Correspondent, called on the federal government to bring culprits that caused the problem to book to serve as deterrent to others in their shoe.
Some members of the public who accused operators of some filling stations in the area of creating artificial scarcity in order to cheat motorists called on the state and federal governments to direct their search light on such filling stations, arrest and punish, to deter others in their shoe.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
