FG, Marketer to end Fuel Scarcity

                                          

                                     

There are indications that the issue of Fuel scarcity will be over soon. This is as a result of the resolution by the Federal Government and petrol marketers on Friday to put an end to Nigeria’s fuel scarcity problems before the close of business next week Saturday. 

This decision was taken at a meeting of the Federal Government and the marketers as well as other stakeholders in the sector on Friday  which lasted several hours at the headquarters of the petroleum ministry was communicated by the Permanent Secretary Mr Taiye Haruna . 

Reading out the resolution reached after the meeting, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Taiye Haruna, said it was agreed that the PPMC, as well as marketers, should increase the level of product supply across the country.

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He said, “The PPMC in conjunction with marketers, both major and independent, have been directed to increase the level of supply of PMS to all retail outlets nationwide with immediate effect. It was, however, identified that one of the constraints to the distribution of products is the logjam at Apapa in Lagos State. Currently we have over 2,000 trucks lined up on the roads in Apapa.

“So we have agreed to work with the Lagos State government, Petroleum Tanker Drivers, Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners and other stakeholders to clear the logjam. Some trucks have been there for the past 10 days waiting to load products but couldn’t get access to the depot. So we have to clear there in order to start moving products out of the depots.

“We have enough stock that can last about 23 days. Also we agree to set up a committee of stakeholders to monitor the loading and delivery of products nationwide. We have also agreed that efforts be made to clear these long queues before the end of June 13, 2015, that is next week.”

He stated that PEF was directed to track all trucks from Apapa using its Aquila platform in order to avoid diversion of products, adding that DPR would ensure that products delivered must be sold at the approved rate of N87 per litre.

 The Executive Secretary, MOMAN, Mr. Obafemi Olawore, also stated that the marketers had not been paid, and stressed that the agreement never meant that the claims had been waved but that fuel queues would be cleared.

He said, “PPMC has assured us that they have products and we have also seen some evidence from the vessels that are around. Once the vessels are being cleared, we have resolved that we are going to move products to clear the queues.”