Scarcity: Normalcy returning to filling stations across Lagos
Availability of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, is improving in Lagos State, after days of scarcity of the product.
The island and Mainland filling stations reported that queue are beginning to disappear and observed that most of them were opened for business.
It was also observed that vehicular queues had reduced in some of the stations which were selling petrol between N162.5 and N165 per litre.
Mr. Mike Osatuyi, National Operations Controller, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), confirmed that some of the stations had received supply of on-spec products.
“They have received cargo already and they are discharging. So we should be experiencing more improved fuel supply this weekend,” Osatuyi said.
Osatuyi noted that the importation of off-spec petrol into the country could have been averted if those saddled with certain responsibilities had done their jobs properly.
He said going forward, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. and its trading partners, as well as other regulatory agencies, should ensure that due process was followed at all times.
Osatuyi said the importation of sub-standard petrol was an embarrassment to the government and to Nigerians, and such should never be allowed to reoccur.
The scarcity was caused by the suspension of loading PMS for some days following the importation of a vessel of PMS containing methanol above the specified volume, that was imported into the country.
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, which confirmed the development, said they were able to identify, isolate and quarantined the limited amount of PMS affected.
Mr. Farouk Ahmed, Chief Executive, NMDPRA, in a meeting on Wednesday with downstream industry stakeholders, had assured Nigerians that the country had 20 days sufficiency of PMS.
Ahmed also disclosed that loading was going on at depots in Apapa and Ijegun-Egba, Lagos, which would help close the supply gap created by the withdrawal of the sub-standard petrol from the market.
Oil and Gas stakeholders have lauded Mr. Johnson Awoyomi, outgoing Managing Director of the National Engineering and Technical Company (NETCO) for his contribution to the development of the industry.
Those who spoke included Malam Mele Kyari, Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd. and Mr. Simbi Wabote, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).
They spoke at Awoyomi’s birthday, book launch and retirement party on Saturday in Lagos.
The three books authored by Awoyomi are: The Cost of Fuel Scarcity in Nigeria and Maximising Government Net Revenue in the Oil, Gas; Energy Sector-Cost Engineering Perspectives, as well as Cost Engineering and Cost Control of Medium to Large Capital Projects.
Kyari noted that the books were very vital to operators in the industry as it provided solutions to some of the current challenges in the oil and gas sector.
He said the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) had transformed NNPC and its subsidiaries, including NETCO into commercial entities that must deliver dividends to its shareholders.
Kyari said cost optimisation was very key in driving profitablity of NNPC, adding that the books would serve as manual in sustaining the achievements made so far by the company.
On the current situation of Premium Motor Spirit in the country, he said the imported off-spec products had been contained while loading and distribution to filling stations was ongoing.
He said Awoyomi was a veteran of the “NNPC Fuel War Room” having served the nation on numerous occasions in addressing fuel scarcity and eliminating queues at the retail outlets.
Similarly, Wabote said Awoyomi was passionate about improving local content in the oil and gas industry, which was the cardinal mandate of the NCDMB.
He added that cost optimisation was important for local companies to grow and become relevant players in the sector.
Mr. Billy Okoye, Group Executive Director, Ventures and Business Development, NNPC Ltd., said the need for significant cost management could not be overemphasised.
Okoye said the book on cost optimisation was a practitioners manual in managing project cost, cost control, investment appraisal as well as risk analysis.
He added that it was also useful to others outside the industry, especially real estate developers and people with interest in project management.
On his part, Awoyomi who joined NNPC on Nov. 17, 1992 said the books were based on his over 30 years experience in the oil and gas sector.
Awoyomi said, “It is important to put our experiences into perspective for generations unborn to learn.
“It is a privilege to have served this nation and I thank God for His mercies on my life.”
