NNPC, Indigenous Firm Partner On Kerosene Distribution

The Retail Products Section of the NNPC and an indigenous company, Capital Oil and Gas, are to partner in the distribution of kerosene nation-wide through mobile truck platform.

Our correspondent reports that the pilot scheme of the initiative started on Saturday in Lagos with 200 trucks.

Mr Ifeayin Ubah, the Chief Executive Officer of Capital Oil, told newsmen at the official unveiling of the pilot scheme in Lagos that the initiative was aimed at ensuring the distribution of kerosene across the country.

Ubah said distributing the product with mobile trucks would decongest the long queues at NNPC mega stations across the country as purchase would be decentralised.

“The trucks will be stationed at some locations in the city and rural areas to sell to individuals who want to buy kerosene.

“ This is the best method to address panic buying of kerosene usually experienced in the country.

“The product will be handled and sold to Nigerians by sub-dealers who must have paid for the kerosene products through the banks to avoid sharp practices,’’ he said.

Ubah, who said that this method of kerosene distribution would help address the problem of scarcity, added that the pilot scheme would be test run in Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt.

Also speaking, NNPC’s spokesman, Dr Levi Ajuonuma, said about 25,000 metric tonnes of kerosene had been allocated to major and independent marketers to ease scarcity.

He said the country had enough product to last 51 days, adding that “ distribution bottle neck has been our major challenge.’’

“ We have finally addressed that and we believe all marketers will ensure circulation of the product across the country.

“We implore regulatory bodies and the media to assist in monitoring the distribution of the products at official pump price of N50 per litre to prevent it being diverted,’’ he said.