NNPC commences 24-Hour operations to mitigate PMS scarcity, stocks up over 1bn Litres

Solomon Ezeme

The hardship being faced by Nigerians as a result of the recent withdrawal of the methanol-blended fuel by the Government may soon be over as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd, (NNPC) restocked its depots and retail outlets with over I billion litres of the product.

The Company also disclosed its plans to distribute 2.3 billion Litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) before the end of February.

This was revealed via NNPC’s official Twitter handle on Wednesday.

The NNPC said it has made plans on how it will circulate the scarce commodity across the country via its retail outlets and deports, ensuring that it reaches every Nigerian in need of it, in the shortest possible time.

While assuring Nigerians of speedy distribution of the commodity, it explained that the previous move to quarantine the dirty fuel was necessary to prevent Nigerian households and businesses from possible losses associated with the use of contaminated petrol.

“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.

“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,” the NNPC said.

It further stated that there are ongoing partnerships with major stakeholders in the oil and gas industry, including the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) and others, to ensure that distribution is accelerated, across board.

“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.

“Furthermore, NNPC monitoring team is collaborating with the Authority (NMDPRA) and other Security Agencies to ensure smooth distribution of PMS nationwide,” it said.

It advised Nigerians who have long-waited for an end to the scarcity not to panic, assuring them of the sufficient availability of the product as it will be distributed speedily, nationwide.

It said, “NNPC implores Nigerians to avoid panic buying as there is sufficient volume of PMS in-country and effort is being made to accelerate distribution to all filling stations.