President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), Prince Billy Harry, has reiterated the commitment of members of the association towards ensuring hitch-free petroleum products supply nationwide, during the coronavirus siege.
PETROAN is a not-for-profit and non-political organization, aiming at promoting unity and stability in the petroleum retail sector. Harry, who spoke to Orient Energy Review in Abuja yesterday on phone, said that as sudden as the nationwide lockdown is; even as President Muhammadu Buhari insisted that retail distribution of petroleum products must continue without ceasing, members of PETROAN are very ready to ensure that products are available within and beyond this trying period.
Harry regretted however that despite the Presidential directive on distribution of petroleum products, overzealous security operatives are creating problems for some PETROAN members in some parts of Nigeria. “We have made presentations to the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, on this and we have assurances that those hitches will not continue,” Billy said.
He reiterated that President Muhammed Buhari had been emphatic during his speech on Sunday that “establishments, such as food processing, distribution and retail companies, petroleum distribution and retail entities, power generation, transmission and distribution, companies…” among are listed among operations of ‘essential services’
The expression of commitment from PETROAN comes on the heels the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) assurance on Tuesday that the corporation has activated measures to guarantee seamless distribution of fuel across the country throughout the 14-day lockdown announced by President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday.
NNPC Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Dr Kennie Obateru, said the PPMC workforce had been mobilised to provide loading services throughout the lockdown. He said the action is in compliance with the Presidential directive that during the lockdown products must be made available.
“If you recall, two days ago, the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mele Kyari, stated that we have 60 days sufficiency of Premium Motor Spirit. That is very correct. As a matter of fact, we have about 2.68 billion litres of petrol in-country and in marine storage. At the prevailing daily consumption rate of 45 million litres, that translates to roughly 60 days,” the NNPC spokesman said.
The Corporation called on motorists and other consumers of petroleum products not to engage in hoarding or panic buying of petrol, noting that the NNPC is ready to provide enough products across the country. Obateru assured that two more petrol laden vessels were expected to berth at the ports by today to discharge 250 million litres of petrol.
On the recent complaints of non-availability of personal protective equipment against COVID-19 for tanker drivers by the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), the corporation said the PPMC was engaging with the stakeholders to address the issue.
Chibisi Ohakah
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