News

Kerosene Scacrity: NNPC Allocates 542m Litres To Marketers …IPMAN Forms Monitoring C’ttee

Published

15 years ago

July 1, 2011

As the scarcity and high cost of kerosene persists in the country, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) said it has allocated more than 542 million litres of kerosene (DPK) to oil marketers between January and June, in its bid to end kerosene scarcity in the country.

The figure is contained in the allocation records made available to newsmen yesterday in Abuja.

The records showed that the allocation was made to the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN).

Our correspondent reports that allocation to the marketers was done mainly through coastal allocation and loading from the NNPC depots in the country.

The breakdown showed that IPMAN received 42.7 million litres from coastal allocation, while MOMAN received 61 millions litres representing 41.18 per cent and 58.82 per cent respectively.

Of the 42.7 million litres allocated to IPMAN, 24.4 million litres were allocated in the first quarter, while MOMAN got 12.2 million of its 61 million litres coastal allocation during the same period.

The records also showed that there was no coastal allocation for both marketers for the month of April.

For the months of May and June, IPMAN got 18.3 million litres coastal allocation, while MOMAN got 48.8 million.

The records indicated that loading from the NNPC depots from January to June revealed that IPMAN was allocated 241.07 million litres and MOMAN got 124.20 million litres.

The figures represented 66 per cent for IPMAN and 34 per cent for MOMAN in the period under consideration.

Of the 241.075 million litres loaded from the NNPC depots, IPMAN loaded 144.83 million litres in the first quarter, while MOMAN loaded 83.16 million litres in the same period.

For the month of May and June, IPMAN loaded 86.25 million litres of DPK from NNPC depots while MOMAN loaded 41.04 million litres.

The records also revealed that IPMAN was further allocated 73.32 million litres of DPK through the Nigerian Independent Petroleum Company (NIPCO Plc), a private depot in Lagos between January and June.

The records, however, indicated that there was no allocation of the product through NIPCO to IPMAN in January and March.

The grand total allocation for both marketers from January to June showed that IPMAN had 357.09 million litres of DPK while MOMAM had 185.20 million litres.

The figures represented 65.85 per cent and 34.15 per cent of the product to IPMAN and MOMAM respectively.

Our correspondent reports that there had been a lot of controversies and discrepancies in the recent past between oil marketers and the NNPC on the actual allocation to each group.

Our investigations revealed that these discrepancies and blame game had led to the continued scarcity of the product with each party accusing the other of insincerity.

IPMAN had accused NNPC of preferential treatment in favour of MOMAN, a claim which NNPC had since denied.

Meanwhile, Port Harcourt zonal chairman of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Comrade Godwin Eruba, has accused NNPC of being responsible for the scarcity of the product.

Comrade Eruba who stated this in an exclusive interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt explained that if there was scarcity of the product, NNPC should be blamed for the development.

According to him, NNPC was the only authorised body to import kerosene while others import premium motor spirit popularly called petrol.

He said that if NNPC did not have enough product, it should find excuse as to cover its inefficiency and inability to provide product to Nigerians.

“Look at the Port Harcourt depot for instance, it is electricity that is the excuse. Instead of loading 5,000 litres, the NNPC is loading only 2,000 litres with the excuse that these is no light to load enough products,” he explained.

The NUPENG boss also faulted the claim of NNPC that major oil marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) distributed 30,000 metric tonnes of kerosene to their retail outlets across the country, adding that the claim was a far cry from the true position of things in the industry.

Comrade Eruba said that the refusal of NNPC to allocate the product to the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) whom he said were key players in the industry with their filling stations across the country was traceable for the epileptic and haphazard distribution of the product.

The head of Directorate of Petroleum Resources (DPR) Surveillance team, Engr Kelfy Braide said that the directorate was committed towards ensuring that the products lifted from the depots get to their destination and the end users.

He urged filling station operators to be humane in their operations, adding that there was no sense in hoarding or selling at exorbitant price when the masses were in need of the product.

In reaction to the allocation by the NNPC, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), says it has setup a 22-man committee to oversee allocation of petroleum products from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

Mr Mike Osatuyi, National Secretary of IPMAN, told our correspondent Wednesday in Lagos that the committee was inaugurated on Tuesday.

Our correspondent reports that IPMAN had complained of inadequate allocation of petroleum products to its members by the Pipelines Products Marketing Company (PPMC) and NNPC.

The committee is headed by Mr Chinedu Okoronkwo, who has been empowered by the National Executive Committee of IPMAN to take charge of products allocation.

Osatuyi said that the committee was mandated to report its findings and solutions to the lingering crisis over products allocations to the association’s secretariat.

He urged the NNPC and PPMCto accord priority to IPMAN members in the allocation of kerosene to address the lingering scarcity of the product.

The IPMAN secretary said that that the earlier attempt by NNPC to distribute the product through IPMAN members was disrupted.

He said that it was clear that NNPC and PPMC were allocating insufficient products to its members as it was in the case of kerosene allocation.

“NNPC should go back to the modality used in 2009 for petroleum allocation in which IPMAN got 76 per cent while major marketers got 24 per cent.

“Government should treat IPMAN well in terms of products allocation because we are large in number and have the largest retail outlets across the country,’’ he said.

News

Cleric Predicts Breakthrough, Warns of Political and Security Challenges in 2026

Published

4 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Founder and Senior Pastor of Liberty Hour Ministry, Port Harcourt, Apostle Chikadibia John Wodo, has expressed optimism that 2026 will usher in uncommon breakthroughs and good fortune for Nigeria, particularly in the areas of political, economic, and spiritual development, with Rivers State playing a key role.

Apostle Wodo made this declaration in his special New Year message, where he stated that individuals and forces standing as obstacles to the manifestation of God’s will in the new year would face bitter consequences. He cautioned that corrupt political leaders risk backlash from the very people they govern if they fail to change their ways.

The cleric warned against the escalation of political tension in Rivers State and called on residents and religious leaders to intensify prayers for lasting peace. He also urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara to remain resolute in leadership, reminding him to uphold his vows to God by continually seeking divine guidance in decision-making and governance amid evolving challenges.

Assessing the broader national situation, Apostle Wodo called on Nigerian leaders to repent and govern with a heightened sense of responsibility, noting that the cries and supplications of the masses have drawn divine attention. He further warned of alleged plots to disrupt a smooth democratic transition in 2027 and appealed for prayers to avert such an agenda.

According to him, Nigerians are yearning for genuine socio-economic transformation and freedom from political oppression. He challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to redeem its credibility by ensuring free, fair, and credible elections devoid of undue political interference.

The cleric also predicted that insecurity could worsen in the coming year and warned of the possible emergence of a strange ailment, stressing that Nigeria’s political challenges can only be resolved through equity, fairness, and justice, especially in the treatment of minorities, the vulnerable, and the disadvantaged.

Apostle Wodo further claimed that some clerics and General Overseers have compromised their faith and incurred divine displeasure, calling for sincere repentance to restore their relationship with God. He also advised early preparedness to mitigate natural disasters such as fire outbreaks and flooding, particularly in rural communities.

He concluded by urging Nigerians to remain prayerful, vigilant, and united as the nation navigates the opportunities and challenges of 2026.

News

Ado Royal Family Disowns Alleged Installation of Amanyanabo of Okrika

Published

4 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Ado Royal Family of Okrika has firmly disassociated itself from the alleged self-enthronement of Hon. Godknows Tam George as the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head, describing the action as unlawful, illegitimate, and a threat to the peace of the ancient kingdom.

The family, which described itself as the sole legitimate custodian of the history, traditions, and stool of the Amanyanabo of Okrika, stated that it has not installed any king and has not commenced the formal process for such installation.

This position was contained in a statement jointly signed by Prof. Sotonye Fyneface-Ogan (Ogan Ado Royal House), Alabo Engr. Henry Semenitari Abam (Abam Ado Royal House), and Alabo Prince Oriyeorikabo Fibika (Fibika Ado Royal House). The statement was presented to journalists on Friday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.

According to the statement, the purported action by Hon. Tam George amounts to “a blatant assault on the collective integrity of the Okrika people” and constitutes “a criminal act of impersonation with the potential to destabilize the peace and socio-political fabric of our ancient kingdom.”

The family stressed that Hon. Tam George was never presented as a candidate by the Ado Royal Family and did not undergo any of the mandatory rites, consultations, or confirmations required by Okrika customs.

“The Ado Royal Family has never presented him as a candidate, nor has he undergone any of the prerequisite rites, consultations, or confirmations. His actions are those of a lone interloper, operating in a vacuum of legitimacy,” the statement read.

It further emphasized that the stool of the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head is a sacred institution rooted in centuries-old traditions and spiritual heritage, not something to be claimed through academic qualifications, political ambition, or personal interest.

Speaking during the briefing, Prof. Sotonye Fyneface-Ogan reiterated that the process of crowning an Amanyanabo is clearly defined and has not yet begun.

“To crown a king, there is a process, and those processes have not taken place,” he said. “We are the chiefs; we are the ones that will be part of the selection. Honestly, we have not started the selection process; we have only begun discussions.”

He explained that during the proper selection process, chiefs supervise nominations from each constituent house, with each house expected to nominate two or three candidates—steps which, he noted, have not been carried out.

“I want to assure the public that none of the Ado family chiefs has given Hon. Tam George any sign of approval,” Prof. Fyneface-Ogan added.

Efforts to obtain the reaction of Hon. Godknows Tam George proved unsuccessful. Repeated attempts through phone calls, text messages, and WhatsApp messages were unsuccessful, as he did not respond as of the time of filing this report.

By: Tonye Orabere

News

PH Traders Laud RSG’s Fire Safety Sensitisation Campaign

Published

4 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

Traders in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, have commended the Rivers State Government (RSG) for its ongoing fire emergency and safety sensitisation campaign across major markets in the state.

Speaking on behalf of traders at Nowa Market, Borikiri Old Port Harcourt Township, the market chairman, Mr. Innocent Chukwuma, praised Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara for initiating the awareness programme in designated markets and public places.

Chukwuma described the exercise as timely and impactful, noting that it was the first time the Rivers State Government had carried out such a campaign in Nowa Market. According to him, the sensitisation would educate traders on fire emergencies and the necessary precautions to prevent outbreaks.

He urged traders to strictly apply the safety measures taught during the campaign, both during business hours and after closing their shops.

“I want to thank the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Ministry of Special Duties for coming to our aid, especially during this dry season,” Chukwuma said.

“This is the first time we are seeing government presence in our market in this manner. We lack words to thank our God-sent governor, particularly for providing us with fire extinguishers and other firefighting equipment.

“We will do exactly what we have been taught today to ensure there is no fire incident in our market. We will always switch off all electrical appliances before closing for the day,” he added.

Similarly, the Chairman of Mile 3 USTRE Modern Market, Mr. Gift Nkesi Benjamin, applauded the state government for the distribution of fire extinguishers and other fire safety equipment.

“We will adhere strictly to the safety guidelines and instructions given to us today to ensure there is no fire outbreak in our market,” Benjamin stated.

“On behalf of Mile 3 USTRE Modern Market, I sincerely thank the Rivers State Government and the Ministry of Special Duties for bringing this important campaign to our market.”

At Rumuwoji Market (popularly known as Mile 1 Market), the Chairman, Chief Hon. Godpower O. Wobo, also expressed gratitude to the state government for the sensitisation exercise. He assured that traders would comply fully with government directives to prevent future fire incidents.

Responding on behalf of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Special Duties, Mr. Sokari D. P. George, thanked the traders for their cooperation and warm reception.

He emphasised that safety remains paramount, especially during the dry season, and urged traders to be cautious in their daily activities.

Mr. George disclosed that the theme of the 2025 fire safety campaign is “Controlled Fire Is a Friend, Uncontrolled Fire Is an Enemy.”

He cautioned against refuse and bush burning around buildings and warned traders not to store fuel in unauthorized places such as homes, offices, markets, or public buildings.

“Follow all fire safety guidelines and instructions,” he urged.

The permanent secretary also noted that Governor Fubara prefers a zero-fireworks approach during festive periods to ensure public safety, stressing that the government has invested heavily in markets and expects traders to take responsibility for protecting them.

By: Kiadum Edookor