READ: President Buhari’s message assuring that the scarcity will be over soon (Dec 24, 2017).

READ: Vice President Osinbajo has been visiting petrol stations and depots in Lagos (Dec 24 and 25, 2017)

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu (Dec 25, 2017): “This would have been a great moment to wish every one a merry Christmas but the fuel availability challenge is a reminder that we can do more and we are committed to doing more. I empathize with every Nigerian.”

In Abuja, the NNPC GMD, Dr Maikanti Baru has also been on tour, inspecting petrol stations to ensure hitch-free distribution.

Timeline:

Saturday Dec 23, 2017:

NNPC GMD, Dr Maikanti Baru briefs President Buhari on the fuel situation nationwide.

Sunday Dec 24, 2017:

President Buhari directs increased surveillance by regulatory agencies to end hoarding and profiteering.

Vice President Osinbajo pays unscheduled visit to petrol stations in Lagos.

NNPC GMD, Dr. Baru holds press conference in Abuja to provide updates on fuel supply situation nationwide.

Monday Dec 25, 2017:

Vice President Osinbajo inspects petrol depots in Lagos, meets with Reps of major oil marketers

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Background

  • Initial shortages were caused by rumours of price increases, leading to hoarding and diversion by marketers, and panic buying by citizens.
  • NNPC brought the initial situation under control, but it was rekindled by PENGASSAN’s strike action, which disrupted distribution and heightened panic. 

NNPC Interventions

  • NNPC has activated a ‘Fuel War Room’ (FWR) to co-ordinate all intervention activities for Supply & Distribution (S & D) of petrol nationwide. The FWR brings together officials from the NNPC’s S & D team, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) and the Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF), supported by law enforcement agencies.
  • NNPC has instructed the commencement of 24-hour loading operations at all its depots and mega stations across the country. Major oil marketers have also been advised to carry out 24-hour operations. Compliance with this instruction has significantly increased loadout from depots.
  • National Truck-out capacity has been increased to an average of 1,500 trucks daily, translating to 52 million litres per day, almost double the normal consumption of 850 trucks per day.
  • DPR, PEF and PPPRA have scaled up their monitoring activities to ensure seamless Supply & Distribution. Appropriate sanctions are being applied to erring marketers who hoard or sell petrol above the government-regulated price of N145/litre.
  • According to the NNPC, 13 vessels containing more than 650 million litres of products are currently discharging petrol, while additional vessels have been lined up to berth in early January 2018. (Average daily petrol consumption in Nigeria is 27 to 28 million litres daily)

READ: NNPC Press Statement | Follow Government of Nigeria on Twitter | Follow NNPC on Twitter | Follow HMS Petroleum Resources on Twitter | Follow GMD NNPC on Twitter

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