Petrol scarcity : MOMAN extends operational hours in jetties, depots by 18 hours

Oredola Adeola

The Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN)has revealed plan by its members to extend opening hours of jetties, depots, and filling stations to a minimum of 18 hours a day and where possible up to 24 hours a day in order to reduce excessive queues for Premium Motor Spirit(PMS) also known as Petrol, across Nigeria.

This was contained in a statement signed by Olumide Adeosun, Chairman, MOMAN, on Wednesday, where he urged its customers not to panic-buy.

The petrol marketers have earlier claimed that petrol shortage and scarcity within the supply chain, being witnessed across the country is as a result of the NNPC’s decision to recall the contaminated fuel in circulation across the country from them.

EnergyDay’s investigation shows that the fuel scarcity has worsened since Monday with many filling stations shutting the doors against motorists and customers. This has however resulted in the resurgence of black marketers who sell petrol in jerry cans between N350 to N700 per litre depending on the locations.

The MOMAN Chairman said the extension of operational hours across the country in its members facilities will affect high density and flagship locations when ever the security situation permits.

He further disclosed that it might take a few days for normalcy to return to filling stations across the country, adding that panic buying by Nigerians has continued to increase the pressure on the supply chain.

Adeosun said,“MOMAN subject matter experts are active contributors to the technical and commercial committees’ setup by the regulatory Authorities to re-stock fuel supplies, resolve the blending of contaminated product and identify losses suffered by customers, operators and third parties.

“MOMAN’s committee of chemists are also working with designated laboratories to double check the quality of product (re-blended or new) before they are released into the fuels supply chain.

Mr Clement Isong, Executive Secretary, MOMAN, claimed that marketers received two (2) vessels of petrol from NNPC.

He noted that it has become quite important for the downstream petroleum sector to be fully deregulated with the importation of PMS liberalised to ensure improved supply and stability.