NNPC begins pumping of fuel to Benin depot

AFTER eight years of waiting, sellers of petroleum products on Monday commenced loading of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) popularly called petrol and others from the Benin depot of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

The exercise was suspended by the Petroleum Products and Marketing Company (PPMC) due to cases of vandalism and crisis in the state chapter of the Independent Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN).

The new development however, seemed not to have solved the imbroglio that had torn the marketers' body apart as the Victor Igile-led executive had been invited for questioning by the police high command, according to information reliably gathered by The Guardian.

The summons, it was further learnt, was consequent upon petitions written by some members of the association tasking the security agencies in Abuja.

Notwithstanding the new scenario, members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers of Nigeria (IPMAN) and other marketers were excited on Monday, as several tankers were seen loading products from the depot.

The chairman of the tanker drivers' body, Comrade Godwin Asemota, said the resumption of loading of petroleum products was a “huge relief” to them. He expressed hope that the exercise would address the hardship suffered by motorists and travellers as well as the financial constraints his members had undergone and were still going through.

According to Asemota, the drivers were compelled to lifting the products from neighbour states, thus inflicting added cost to members and marketers.

Some of the tanker drivers expressed gratitude to the management of the PPMC and other stakeholders for their role in ensuring that petroleum products was once again lifted from the Benin Depot of the PPMC.

The spokesperson of the Benin Depot of IPMAN, Leo Ebugua commended the Victor Igile led executive council, who he said had promised that loading would resume as soon as they assume office.

Igile through his spokesperson also warned members of the public to desist from vandalising oil pipelines, an action he said prompted the sudden suspension of petroleum products from the Benin NNPC depot.

Guardian