NNPC Implements Petrol Rationing, Focuses On Abuja Supply, Say Officials

NNPC Implements Petrol Rationing, Focuses On Abuja Supply, Say Officials....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Oil marketers and Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) officials have disclosed that the national oil company is implementing a petrol supply rationing system to depots and has instructed operators to give precedence to loading for Abuja.

As per the information provided by the marketers and NNPC officials, the company has directed fuel trucks to prioritize servicing the Federal Capital Territory over other parts of the country. In discussions with The Punch over the weekend, these officials and marketers revealed that a significant number of trucks departing from depots in Lagos since Friday were bound for Abuja. They noted that hundreds of trucks loaded on Saturday were dispatched to Abuja in accordance with the directive from NNPCL, expressing concerns that queues might persist for the next three days in the South West region. Speaking anonymously due to lack of authorization to speak to the press on the matter, the officials also mentioned that NNPCL has implemented fuel rationing, reducing allocations to depots from 10,000 metric tonnes to 5,000 metric tonnes. “Due to the scarcity, there are instructions to ration the product. Depots now receive approximately 220 trucks, half of their usual intake. This is happening due to irregular supply. If NNPCL had sufficient supply, everyone would receive their required amount without queues,” one official stated. A marketer attributed the irregular supply to NNPCL’s current inability to import sufficient fuel.

“The irregular supply is due to NNPCL’s insufficient fuel imports. Despite financial resources, NNPCL sometimes faces challenges in its supply chain. For instance, at NNPCL Jetty in Apapa, as of Saturday, only one tanker was present at ASPM, capable of holding about 40,000 metric tonnes; the other three reception points had no PMS vessel,” the marketer explained. “When NNPCL faces importation disruptions, such issues arise.

They attempt to manage it initially, but eventually, it becomes evident. Last week, they attributed it to logistics, but it’s not merely logistical issues; it’s importation glitches,” he added. “All our trucks are now directed towards Abuja. There was a directive for all dealers and marketers to prioritize serving Abuja. Regulatory agencies are aware that products will be directed to Abuja until normalcy returns. Trucks may remain in depots for three to four days; they are instructed to wait without knowing the reasons. Meanwhile, other trucks are being loaded ahead of them,” he continued. He further stated, “The South West region is likely to experience prolonged queues in the next two to three days because loading for Abuja will continue until Monday. The government is prioritizing Abuja to ensure sufficient fuel supply in the capital city.

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