Kerosene Scarcity To End In 10 Days …NNPC, Oil Marketers Assure

The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) have pledged to end the lingering kerosene scarcity in the country within the next 10 days.

Group Managing Director, NNPC, Mr Austen Oniwon made the pledge yesterday in Abuja at a meeting with the oil marketers.

He said that as a summary of their discussion to re-assure the nation, the principal stakeholders have given an undertaken that within the next 10 days kerosene would be available nationwide.

Oniwon explained that the corporation had sufficient products to last the next 40 days but had been facing challenges in the distribution network.

He said the meeting with MOMAN was the first in the series of renewed meetings with oil marketers with the assurance that NNPC would soon meet with the Independent Petroleum Marketers’ Association of Nigeria (IPMAN).

He expressed the commitment of the corporation and other stakeholders to bring an end to the problem just like it did with the petrol issue.

The NNPC boss debunked any insinuation of a deficit in supply of the product from the corporation, insisting that refineries were working in addition to the imported product.

He decried the hardship and suffering the scarcity of the product had caused Nigerians with a vow to get to the root of the problem.

On the issue of the availability of the product at only the NNPC mega station, he said the arrangement was deliberate pending the time the other stations with the NNPC logo were willing to comply with their standard.

He, however, warned that the NNPC logo would soon be removed from the stations that failed to comply with the standard.

Oniwon said the Corporation had concluded arrangements with the oil marketers for the use of the Apapa jetty for the loading of the product.

The Executive Secretary, MOMAN, Mr Obafemi Olawore pledged to put an end to the distribution problem as soon as there was regular supply of the product.

He said the marketers were willing to work with the NNPC to solve the problem immediately.

Our correspondent  reports that a litre of kerosene now sells for about N200 at some retail outlets instead of the official price of N55 per litre due to the scarcity.

MOMAN members include major oil marketers such as Total, Oando, Conoil, Mobil, Texaco and Forte Oil (formerly AP).

Member,Federal House of Representatives, Hon Dakuku Peterside (left) chatting with Administrator, Greater Port Harcourt Authority, Dame Aleruchi Cookey-Gam, during the inauguration of the Rivers State House of Assemble, penultimate, Monday