By Mobolaji Adegoke
To cushion the effect of the adulterated fuel across the country which has led to an acute shortage of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly called, petrol, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has announced the commencement of 24-hour operations in NNPC depots and retail outlets.
The move according to a statement by NNPC Limited was to restore normal supply and distribution of PMS across the country.
NNPC said it wishes to reassure Nigerians that it has put adequate measures in place to accelerate the nationwide distribution of PMS earlier disrupted by the quarantine of methanol-blended petrol, adding that the quarantine was a necessary step to safeguard its customer from the potential impact of the PMS grade on vehicles and machinery.
It further assured that it has over one billion liters of certified PMS stock that is safe for use in vehicles and machinery.
‘‘In order to accelerate distribution across the country, we have commenced 24-hour operations at our depots and retail outlets.
As part of NNPC’s strategic restocking, over 2.3 billion liters of PMS is scheduled for delivery between now and the end of February 2022, which will restore the sufficiency level above the national target of 30 days.
The statement added that members of the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), Depot Owners and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria(DAPPMAN), and Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria(IPMAN) have also commenced 24-hour loading and dispensing activities in some of their designated outlets.
‘‘Furthermore, the NNPC monitoring team is collaborating with the Authority(NMDPRA) and other security agencies to ensure smooth distribution of PMS nationwide.
NNPC implores Nigerians to avoid panic buying as there is sufficient volume of PMS in-country and the effort is being made to accelerate distribution to all filling stations,’’
