News
NNPC Blames Customs, Navy For Fuel Scarcity
Activities of the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigerian Navy at the ports are responsible for the recent shortfall in fuel supply in the country, an official of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has said.
The NNPC Group General Manager (Public Affairs), Dr Levi Ajuonuma, disclosed this yesterday in Abuja in an interview with newsmen.
He explained that some products-laden vessels had been detained at the Apapa Port for three weeks by the Customs and the Navy, thereby causing a hitch in the product supply system.
“We are still importing petroleum products, but the challenge right now is that a number of the vessels bringing products have been detained by the Customs and the Navy so they could not discharge.
“The most worrisome aspect of this development is that they are detained at the berthing point such that other vessels with petroleum products are deprived from berthing and discharging,’’ he said.
He, however, explained that one of the ships detained by the Customs was alleged to have contravened the rule three years ago when it brought petroleum products into the country without a temporary import permit.
He said though the corporation was not against the Customs and the Navy’s checks, their activities should not impede the discharge of the products.
“We are not saying that they should not detain vessels that contravene our laws, what we are saying is that they should not arrest and detain the vessels at the berthing or discharging point,’’ he said.
He also said the NNPC and its subsidiary, Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC), were meeting with the relevant agencies in resolving the issues as soon as possible.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) yesterday attributed the current fuel scarcity in parts of Lagos and neighbouring states to activities of security operatives at the ports.
A statement issued in Lagos by Dr. Levi Ajuonuma, NNPC Group General Manager (Public Affairs), said that security operatives detained some ships that contravened the Nigerian maritime rules.
“As you are well aware, we are still importing petroleum products, but the challenge right now is that a number of the vessels bringing products have been detained and so they could not discharge.
“The situation has created an armada while what we have in strategic reserve is depleting,” the statement said.
“We are not saying that they should not detain vessels that contravened our laws.
“What we are saying is that they should not arrest and detain the vessels at the berthing or discharging point so as not to block other ships from discharging, thereby cutting off supplies,” the statement said.
He urged Nigerians to shun panic buying as the corporation had enough stock to serve the country for the next 24 days.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
-
Politics2 days agoAPC PRIMARIES: FUBARA’S WITHDRAWAL, HISTORIC SACRIFICE FOR NATIONAL STABILITY ……. GROUP
-
News3 days agoCourt Sentences Seven To Death Over Murder Of Cleric In Rivers
-
News13 hours ago
105 Nigerians Killed In S/Africa In Seven Years
-
News11 hours ago
Obuah’s Victory Excites Former Lawmaker as APC Primaries Conclude in Rivers West
-
Sports2 days agoPH Arsenal Community Set For Streets Procession, Saturday
-
Politics2 days agoIPAC Flays INEC Over Election Guidelines Judgement
-
Politics2 days agoNDC To Adopt Electronic Voting For Future Primaries
-
Politics2 days agoEx-IGP Defects To SDP After APC Primary Fiasco