NNPC pledges to sustain fuel supply
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has assured that it would sustain the current fuel supply situation in the country.
The corporation's Group General Manager of Public Affairs, Levi Ajuonuma, stated this yesterday in Abuja.
He observed that for the first time in recent past, Nigerians celebrated both the yuletide and Sallah without products' scarcity.
Ajuonuma pointed out that artificially induced fuel scarcity had been a recurrent feature at the end of the year and during major religious festivities.
He reiterated that the current management of the NNPC led by Mr. Austen Oniwon “has resolved to ensure a sustained policy of zero tolerance for fuel scarcity during major festivities and indeed all year round.”
Ajuonuma, in a statement, asserted that the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison- Madueke, “has worked closely with the NNPC to ensure free flow of petroleum products throughout the country which characterised 2010 while renewed efforts are on to ensure sustainability well beyond the Yuletide.”
He added: “The NNPC's new year tiding to the nation is that Nigerians should be ready to enjoy unimpeded supply of petroleum products all year round. I make bold to put on record that the era of product scarcity is over.”
The NNPC spokesman disclosed that efforts “to expand the scope of operation of NNPC Retail received a major boost during the year as the number of acquired and affiliate stations increased to 502.”
According to him, the move was “in furtherance of the strategic plan by the NNPC to own at least 50 per cent of the entire filling stations in the country with the aim of squelching future artificially induced fuel scarcity.”
He also disclosed that “as at close of work on 24th December, 2010, the PPMC had over 41 days sufficiency in premium motor spirit, 59 days supply of kerosene and over 30 days stock of diesel.”
The NNPC spokesman averred that the huge stock of products neutralised fears of possible fuel scarcity or “thought of hoarding of petroleum products due to the perennial fear of the unknown which has characterised past festive seasons.”