OIL marketers have said that the queues currently being witnessed at filling stations is as a result of off-spec Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) also known as petrol that was imported into the country and being mop-up from circulation.
National Operations Controller of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Mike Osatuyi, disclosed today in an interview with Platforms Africa, an online media platform.
He maintained that the mop-up effort has caused dislocation in the supply chain of petrol.
He said, “NNPC is the major importer of petrol and for many years it has been managing that monopoly well. It will import and feed the narketers who, in return, feed Nigerians. As we speak, however, there is an off spec fuel in ciculation. This product is being mopped-up and this effort has caused dislocation in supply. That is why you will see some stations without PMS while a few with the product have long queues.
“Lagos is pecualiar because the volume consumed in Lagos is huge and slight hitch in supply can be noticed almost immediately. The NNPC is now doing its best at this cririacl time and we believe the effort will yield desired outcome soon.
“My message to Nigerians is that we should show understanding at this moment by not panic buying. Marketers with supply presently also have the responsibiloty of not hoarding the product. The situation should be remedied in the next days if everything goes as planned,” Osatuyi added.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) is yet to make any statement on the on the alleged adulterated product in circulation and how this is linked to queues being experienced in Lagos and parts of Ogun state.
Its Group General Manager, Public Affairs Division, Garba Deen Muhammad, could not be reached at the time of this report. He had however, earlier issued a statement in which he advised Nigerians against panic buying.
“The NNPC Ltd. wishes to assure the public that the company has sufficient PMS stock to meet the needs of Nigerians. The public is therefore, advised not to engage in panic buying of petrol; and to ignore all rumours that may suggest otherwise.
“In line with the existing laws of the land, NNPC Ltd. is deeply committed to ensuring energy security for the country,” the statement read.
Following the development, more marketers have shut gates against motorists blaming lack of suppĺy for their action. This has resulted in long queues for fuel some filling stations in Ojota, Ikorodu, Ketu Alapere and other places in Lagos.
