There are strong indications that fuel crisis rocking the nation may linger for awhile, perhaps till 2018, as marketers claimed that their depots are still empty without products from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
The NNPC has been the sole importer of premium motor spirit (PMS) otherwise called petrol since October 2017, according to the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association (DAPPMA), a claim the NNPC did not deny.
However, Ayo Alanamu Balogun, the Chairman of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Satellite depot branch, Ejigbo, Lagos, told Nigerian Tribune on Wednesday in a telephone conversation that pumping of petrol to the depot was suspended on Sunday but later resumed on Tuesday.
According to him, “NNPC/PPMC were able to pump petrol to the depot last week and it was encouraging but it was stopped since Sunday. 30 trucks were loaded on Tuesday among the major oil marketers association of Nigeria (MOMAN), DAPPMA and IPMAN. I can tell you that NNPC/PPMC are discharging right now and hope it continues so that fuel crisis will be over.”
When asked how soon they will get products, he said ” Only 13 trucks we’re loaded on Monday, 30 trucks on Tuesday while discharge of products is ongoing.”
He commended the NNPC management for its timely intervention to alleviate suffering of the Nigerian masses during yuletide season.
It would be recalled that DAPPMA had countered the NNPC’s claim that the country is wet with petrol by stating that its members’ depots were empty.
NNPC reacted to DAPPMA’s claim that its depots were empty by alleging that the marketers is was owing the Corporation the sum of N26.7billion.
Efforts to speak with Femi Adewole, the Executive Secretary, DAPPMA, to react to NNPC allegation proved abortive as calls put forward to his line were not picked neither did he reply to the text sent to him for reaction.
Howeover, fuel situation in Lagos may be said to have improved slightly due to fewer vehicles at few filling stations with prodcuts.
Oando filling station at Alapere was dispensing to motorists when Nigerian Tribune visited on Wednesday, Conoil opposite Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) was also dispensing. The same with NNPC Retail Stations at Owode Onirin in Ikorodu and at Plamgorve bus stop.
Motorists were elated having realised that long queues were disappearing, though some also blamed it on Lagosians that have left the State to celebrate yuletide seasons with their loved ones.