Connect with us

News

Fuel Scarcity: NNPCL, Marketers Disagree Over Supply As Queues Spread

Published

on

There was a disagreement between oil marketers and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited yesterday over the supply of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol, as queues by motorists for the commodity in filling stations grew worse.
Dealers stated that the queues in various parts of the country for petrol might continue to linger because many independent oil marketers had not been able to access the PMS for over one month.
But this was countered by the NNPCL, as it argued that the company had 30-day PMS sufficiency, though the national oil firm admitted that it was aware of the fuel queues in Nigeria.
Many filling stations, particularly those operated by independent marketers were shut due to a lack of products to dispense in Abuja and neighbouring Nasarawa and Niger states.
The few outlets that dispensed products in these areas, mainly those of major dealers, were greeted with queues, for instance, the Conoil filling station in front of the Abuja headquarters of NNPCL had queues yesterday.
The same scenario played out in Lagos, Port Harcourt, and many other locations, as confirmed by marketers and motorists in the various areas.
On Thursday, dealers under the aegis of the Independent Marketers Association of Nigeria stated that they had been finding it tough to access petrol from the NNPCL for more than one month.
IPMAN controls over 70 per cent of retail stations that dispense PMS nationwide. Currently, many outlets operated by IPMAN members are shut due to a lack of products to dispense.
They also told our correspondent that independent marketers had to resort to major tank farm owners for products, adding that the ex-depot price at these tank farms had been raised from about N578/litre to N605/litre.
The National Public Relations Officer, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Chief Chinedu Ukadike, stated, “Many depots are dry. The NNPCL normally keeps products in its storage that are meant to be on the ground for some duration before fresh products come in. But as we speak, I think the stored products are exhausted.
“This is because for some time now, for the past month now, NNPCL has not been supplying petroleum products to independent marketers in the Port Refinery depot and some other depots across the country.
“In Warri and Lagos, marketers are finding it difficult to source products from the NNPCL. It is the few major marketers and tank farm owners that have products, which they now sell very exorbitantly.”
Asked to state the cost at which the tank farm owners sold the products to independent marketers, Ukadike replied, “They sell it exorbitantly at between N601 and N605/litre, which is against the approved price of NNPCL that is between N577 and N578/litre.
“So it is now becoming very difficult for independent marketers to be able to source products adequately from NNPCL, which is currently the sole importer of petroleum products in Nigeria. And this is because of the reintroduction of subsidy on petrol price.”
Ukadike pointed out that until Nigeria’s refineries were fixed, it would be difficult to fully deregulate the downstream oil sector, adding that the rush for dollars had further increased due to the ban that was lifted on the provision of forex for the imports of selected items.
“The government should take drastic actions to ensure that our refineries are back on track. A new modern refinery can be built with about $8bn, and modular refineries should be encouraged, as well by giving them crude oil.
“The crude swap programme and the recent payment of cash for petroleum imports have not helped matters, rather we keep on seeing galloping inflation. Our economy is going down the drain and this has to stop,” the IPMAN official stated.
Another oil marketer corroborated the position of the IPMAN PRO, as he stated that forex was currently controlling not only the downstream oil sector but the Nigerian economy at large.
“The reason for the queues is not far from what we’ve been saying. It is forex that controls our economy right now. So whatever happens in the global market affects us,” the Secretary, IPMAN, Abuja-Suleja, Mohammed Shuaibu, stated.
He added, “But the most unfortunate aspect of it is that being an oil-producing nation, we cannot refine the oil because of mismanagement. NNPCL is not importing enough. And right now, which individual has the financial strength to import the product?
“In fact, it is as if the government is even confused about the whole situation. However, if they provide us with forex, we will import it. But until then, the queues are going to persist, because the only importer is not meeting the required demand.”

Continue Reading

News

Tinubu Urges Nigeria, S’Africa To Strengthen Ties For Africa’s Dev

Published

on

President Bola Tinubu yesterday stated that Nigeria and South Africa share a collective destiny to collaborate for the betterment of the African continent.
He stressed that both countries must intensify cooperation across various sectors, adding that the success of the partnership lies in the implementation, not merely the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).
Tinubu made this remark yesterday during his opening address as he co-chaired the 11th session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission alongside President Cyril Ramaphosa in Cape Town, South Africa.
He said, “Our successive governments on both sides have recognised our shared history of collaboration and cooperation. We must ensure that the spirit of collaboration and cooperation between our two leading countries in Africa intensifies and deepens under the leadership of our respective nations. This is not a matter of choice but of destiny, which includes a historical responsibility to the African people.”
The Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission, established in 1999, aims to strengthen the ties of friendship and cooperation between the two nations. The first Heads of State-level session took place in Pretoria in October 2019.
Tinubu noted that this year’s meeting coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Commission, disclosing that Nigeria and South Africa have signed about 36 MoUs that reflect their friendship and cooperation.
The President, however, stressed that MoUs alone do not constitute success and must be backed by consistent implementation.
“The BNC has existed since 1999, with approximately three dozen MoUs and agreements in operation. The BNC has come of age. I must, however, caution that we should not count our successes by the number of MoUs signed. They are mere pieces of paper until we implement them in both spirit and letter,” he explained.
Tinubu called for a special emphasis on strengthening the relationship between the youth populations of both countries, stating that Nigeria and South Africa, with their large youthful demographics, can significantly boost their economic development.
According to him, “My desire is that we accelerate youth development. Beyond natural resources, our most precious resource is our youthful population. These young people represent the future. We must invest in their skills and potential for the good of the continent. My administration has embraced an inclusive approach, placing young people in charge of key sectors of the economy, believing that the future must start now.”
The President also assured Ramaphosa of Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening the partnership between the two nations and warned against external forces that might be threatened by the alliance between Africa’s two largest economies.
“As the adage goes, ‘The glory of the eagle does not please the kite.’ Let us remain mindful of the overt and covert hostilities that our partnership may attract. If we remain vigilant, committed, and persistent, we will soar like eagles over the predators. We must stay united in purpose,” Tinubu stated.
He also called for the creation of an anti-illegal mining group, stressing that Africa’s natural resources should benefit its people.
“One issue I want the BNC to explore is the establishment of an anti-illegal mining group. Illegal mining is robbing our nations of precious resources that could foster development. Sponsored by powerful external forces, such mining is causing strife, poverty, environmental degradation, and undermining governance. We cannot allow this scourge to hinder our progress,” Tinubu said.
He urged South Africa’s support for Nigeria’s bid to gain full membership in the G20, BRICS, and the BRICS New Development Bank, adding, “Nigeria would like to join South Africa and the African Union in the G20.”
Earlier, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa highlighted Nigeria’s role as a host for several South African companies and reaffirmed his country’s openness to Nigerian businesses, citing numerous investments and operations in South Africa.
He acknowledged the need to remove existing barriers to greater investment.
Ramaphosa said, “We need to remove the remaining constraints to investment and address challenges faced by companies in both countries. We are encouraged by the steps being taken under your leadership to improve Nigeria’s business environment, which provides assurances to investors, including South African companies.”
He also highlighted measures to simplify visa processes for Nigerian business people, including five-year multiple-entry visas for eligible applicants and a streamlined process for Nigerian tourists.
Ramaphosa expressed hope that the 11th Session of the Bi-National Commission would solidify cooperation in critical areas and stressed the importance of implementing previously agreed-upon decisions and monitoring progress.

Continue Reading

News

PENGASSAN Plans Showdown With Oil Firms Hiring Expatriates

Published

on

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) is preparing for a face-off with oil companies that are prioritising expatriates for job opportunities while neglecting to hire qualified Nigerians.
PENGASSAN President, Festus Osifo, gave this indication during his address at the union’s National Executive Council meeting, held in Abuja, yesterday.
Osifo said the growing trend by companies to employ foreigners, mainly Indians, is contrary to the local content regulations which seek to increase local content participation to 70 per cent by 2027.
He stressed that many companies have abused the expatriates quota outlined by the government, fuelling unrest and resentment among Nigerians who feel excluded from opportunities in their industry.
He said, “A pressing concern is the high number of expatriates in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, mainly from India. While skilled foreign workers contribute to economic development, the current situation demands attention.
“We have been calling names. We are not shying away from calling names. We called out a company called Indorama and others and the issue was fixed in the past.”
Osifo further called on the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board and the Ministry of Interior to stop granting employment licenses to every foreigner who comes into the country seeking employment.
He said, “We are also holding to account a government institution called Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board and the Ministry of Interior, these are the people that give permits for these expatriates to come. If you go to some of these companies, vulcanizers and conductors are Indians.
“Even operators are Indians. And that should not go. So, rising from this NEC meeting, we are going to resolve that we will do everything possible to hold them to account.
“This is not the first company where this has been done. In the company where I work, for example, Total Energy, in 2015, it was a battle. It was war. We took it to them, and we ensured that the expatriate index was greatly reduced. So, we have done it before. We can also do it again. Because the more you send these expatriates away, the more, the management of these companies will open up the system and employ more Nigerians. It is so bad that our institutions are weak.
“The people that fight for the workers in Angola are not even trade unions. They are government institutions. If you work in Angola for a while, you must go back to your country and reapply again. And they ensure that the jobs that they give you in Angola are those technical jobs. So, our government must sit up. Our institutions must sit up.”
“NCDMB, Ministry of Interior, they must sit up and do what they ought to do. So, it is a battle that we are much more prepared to fight. And very, very soon, we will confront it head-on and frontally.”
Osifo also requested clarification on the proposed tax reforms bill, particularly in relation to the revenue collection mandate by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority and the Igerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission.
The association asked the government to extend the tax exemption level to persons earning N150,000 per month.
“On the issues of tax reform, we are currently examining the bill. So, one of the areas that we have seen in the bill that is quite okay is to give tax relief to people who are around minimum wage. What is there in the bill today is about N800,000 per annum.
“And also, for businesses whose turnover is about 50 million Naira, we found that most of the nano and micro businesses fell within that range of 50 million. So, it’s quite good. But, what we have been advocating is that that N800,000 is too small. The government should expand it to persons earning N100,000 to N150,000 per month. So, we are studying the bill, and we are looking at those provisions that are salient. These are what we will bring up at the public hearing.
“So, when we are done with all these, we will send you a copy of our position as PENGASSAN. And in addition to what I just said, there is also a particular area that we are looking at. Today, we have NMDPRA. We have NUPRC. So, they largely pay our members from the cost of connection. But today, they want to replace that with the Nigerian Revenue Service.
“The service will be collecting revenue across the board, both from the oil and gas and customs. So, we are currently studying that provision. We would still need clarification on these issues. We are asking when these are going to form our proposal to the National Assembly during the public hearing,” he added.
When asked if any workers became unemployed as a result of the recent divestment by international oil companies, Osifo said, “We can confirm to you that as of today, there is no single job that has been lost in any of these companies as a result of divestment.
“This is because we realise that our primary function is how to safeguard jobs for our members. First, you safeguard jobs, then you start talking about pay enhancement. If the job is not there, you won’t be able to talk about pay enhancement because what are you enhancing? So first, you safeguard the job.
“So in each of the agreements that were signed, it was clearly stated, all our jobs will be safeguarded.”

Continue Reading

News

NAFDAC Busts Fake Alcohol Factory In Lagos

Published

on

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has dismantled a makeshift factory in the Oke Arin market, Lagos Island, where counterfeit alcoholic beverages were being illegally produced.
According to a statement via its X, yesterday, the agency, acting on a complaint, conducted a raid that led to the arrest of three men and the seizure of counterfeit drinks, empty bottles, and packaging materials.
According to NAFDAC, the seized products, which included fake versions of popular alcoholic brands, were valued at over ¦ 180 million.
The main suspect, Mr. Tochukwu Henry, confessed to refilling bottles labelled as Rémy Martin with ST-Rémy contents.
He also admitted to employing two other individuals to assist in the operation.
The statement said, “NAFDAC has raided a makeshift factory in Oke Arin market, Lagos Island, following a complaint about the illegal production of alcoholic beverages. Three men were apprehended and various counterfeit alcoholic drinks, empty bottles, and packaging materials were seized.
“The products, valued at over ¦ 180 million, included fake versions of popular brands. The main suspect, Mr. Tochukwu Henry, confessed to refilling bottles labelled as Rémy Martin with ST-Rémy contents and employing two others to assist in the illicit operation.
“All suspects are currently in custody for further investigation. NAFDAC calls on the public to remain vigilant, especially during the festive season, and to report suspicious activities and products to the nearest NAFDAC office.”

Continue Reading

Trending