By John Ofikhenua, Abuja and Muyiwa Lucas, Lagos

• Queues lengthen in Lagos, Abuja, others

Petrol marketers yesterday differed with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NPPCL) on the lingering scarcity of the product in major cities, especially Lagos and Abuja.

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) attributed the acute scarcity to the unavailability of the product at the filling stations.

But the NNPCL, through its Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) agency, insisted it has enough in stock that will last for more than one month.

The scarcity, which began in Lagos earlier in the week, spread to neighbouring communities yesterday, with queues spreading into kilometres away from stations that had the product to dispense.

The scarcity resurfaced in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) despite the 2,050,272,534-litre product stock claim of the NNPCL.

The NMDPRA made the disclosure in a document titled: “Petroleum Products Stock and Days Sufficiency Data 24/11/2022.”

It said the stock would last for 33.17 days.

Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Col. Ahmeed Ali, once queried the daily consumption claim of the NNPCL when he appeared before a National Assembly committee.

The NMDPRA document based its computation on the average consumption of 60 million litres per day.

According to the document, land-based stock (closing stock) was 446,059,559 litres.

Read Also; Petrol price hits N250 per litre in Awka

It added that marine stock at berth plus offshore was 1,544,253,042 litres, and the total stock less dead stock was 1,990,212,637 litres.

The authority put the total stock (inclusive of dead stock) at 2,050,272,534 litres.

Neither the NMDPRA spokesman, Mr. Apollo Kimchi, nor the NNPCL Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Malam Garba Deen Muhammad, could be reached for an explanation on the resurgence of petrol scarcity.

They did not respond to text messages sent to their telephone lines.

IPMAN, however, attributed the scarcity to the unavailability of the product.

“This is because the product is not available,” IPMAN National Vice President, Alhaji Abubakar Maigandi, told The Nation last night.

He noted that most of the tank farms from which the marketers buy petrol were not selling to them.

Maigandi stressed that the NNPCL was not releasing products to independent marketers.

He said: “For almost two weeks now, all our trucks are there waiting for the product in Port Harcourt, Calabar and Warri.”

Some filling stations owned by major marketers were seen selling petrol in Lagos yesterday. But the stations belonging to IPMAN members had no product to dispense to motorists.

Black marketers took advantage of the situation to hoard products and sell to desperate motorists at exorbitant prices.

The situation was chaotic at the stations owned by the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) as litre sold for between N169 and N180.

A litre of petrol sold for above N200 at other stations belonging to IPMAN members.

The Nation learnt that the major marketers got supplies directly from NNPCL depots.

The NNPCL is the sole importer of refined petroleum products.

In a chat with Channels Television, IPMAN Deputy National President, Zarama Mustapha, explained that his members bought petrol at over N200 per litre from private depots.

“This makes it impossible for independent marketers to sell at a pump price lower than what they buy.

“Besides, such a trend is unsustainable, given that private depots also get the product at the official rate from the NNPCL,” he said.

Mustapha lamented that private depots, which get petrol at the approved N148/litre price from the NNPCL, sold the same product to IPMAN members at N195 and N210 per.

He said: “It is more of the issue of private depots collecting the products at the approved price and not selling to the independent marketers at a price approved by the mainstream, downstream regulatory authority. You cannot get a product at N195 to N200 per litre and expect to sell it at N175.”

The IPMAN chief said marketers spent three days loading refined petrol as against the normal three hours required to lift.

He urged the NNPCL to prevail on depot owners to sell the product to marketers at the recommended price in the interest of the public.

Other oil marketers under the aegis of the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) also gave insight into the costs they incur to make petrol available in the market.

DAPPMAN’s Chairman Mrs. Winifred Akpani explained that marketers paid through their noses to get the products and are also heavily yoked with huge charges which are denominated in foreign exchange (forex).

Mrs. Akpani stated that accessing foreign exchange at the official Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) rate was a serious challenge for marketers and was responsible for the price differential in petrol distribution in the country.

She decried what she termed the “absence of a level-playing field” that guaranteed access to dollars for all marketers at official rates.

According to her, it will cost about N220 million at official government exchange rate of N440 to charter a vessel that would convey 20,000 metric tons of petrol within Nigeria for 10 days.

“But for marketers who buy forex from the parallel market at N880 to a naira, the same 20, 000 metric tons of fuel cost them N440 million,” she explained.

She put the additional cost at N11 per litre for the transaction due to the forex official and parallel market differential.

Mrs. Akpani said: “In addition, the jetty berth is charged in dollars and comes to N2.2 million at the official forex rate and N4.4 million at the parallel market rate, while port dues, charged in dollars by the NPA and NIMASA, come to N71.51 million at official forex rate and N142.796 million for marketers who source forex from the parallel market.”

By Nwanosike Onu, Awka and Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo yesterday dismissed an alleged rift between him and former governor and Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi.

He insisted that Obi remained his brother despite their political differences.

Soludo in an article titled, ‘History beckons and I will not be silent,’ dismissed Obi’s chances of winning the presidential poll.

He also said poverty worsened under Obi in Anambra.

Speaking at St. Patrick’s Cathedral Awka, during the Thanksgiving mass for Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor in celebration of his 70th birthday, Soludo said he would soon meet with Obi to iron out their differences.

The governor said: “When we came into the service, it was the first time my brother Peter Obi and I are meeting in a public event and in a Catholic Church to which two of us belong. I think it was divine.

Read Also; Soludo vs Obi: A governor’s prickly polemic

“When I came in, I quickly went to where he sat and hugged him. People watched with bewilderment as if we were acting drama. Is it not the same people quarrelling?

“Let me tell you, we spoke two times, just last night. We’re brothers. You know I’m not one of those politicians that speak from two sides of the mouth. I can’t pretend. I’m a politician, but also want to make heaven. I’ll keep saying the truth.

“There’s no rift between Obi and me at a personal level. Nobody snatched each other’s wife. What appears to be the rift between us is fundamental political differences. Nothing else.

“So for those forging blackmail and all that, including the one they said I collected bribe to say what I said, I asked them to bring it so I use it to construct roads. If Soludo is into bribes, I would have been multi trillionaire.

“On the fundamental differences we have, we are going to meet in the next few weeks.

“We’ve agreed to discuss and iron out our differences. Unfortunately, he’s left. We must get it done. Anambra is for all of us.”

Appreciating God for sparing the celebrant’s life to attain the age of 70, Soludo said Ezeokafor has been of great influence on him and his government.

Addressing the cleric, he said: “You changed my thinking when you visited my village house in 2019 and rejected the foreign wine offered to you in the place of palm wine.

“Today in the governor’s lodge, the highest wine served there is palm wine.

“I was also humbled by the moderate type of car you drove to my house. You told me you chose not to go with a vehicle far above the average of those you’re pastoring. I think this is exemplary.

“When you see me drive Innoson cars, that’s part of the inspiration I got from you. If not for security, I would have been riding a bicycle to work.

“We’re taking the prudence you taught us to the next level because when we came in, it cost us over N137 million to clean offices, now, it cost barely N11million. I can only promise to take the message to the world.”

All Progressives Congress (APC) standard bearer Asiwaju Bola Tinubu yesterday promised to turn Southeast into the ‘Taiwan of Africa’ by making the zone a trading and technological hub.

He also promised to negotiate with agitators in the region to end the spate of insecurity and restore their sense of belonging in a fair, equitable and just federation.

Tinubu spoke on his plans for the Southeast for a second time in two weeks at Abakaliki, capital of Ebonyi State, where monarchs and other stakeholders promised to support him in next year’s election.

Noting that the zone possess abundant human capital, the standard bearer told party faithful and supporters at a rally in Pa Oruta Ngele Township Stadium that he will create an enabling environment for business to thrive.

Tinubu, who was accompanied by his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima, Governors Babagana Zulum (Borno State), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi) Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa), Hope Uzodimma (Imo) and Ben Ayade (Cross River), and APC Deputy National Chairman (South) Emma Eniukum, was received by Governor Dave Umahi.

He said his government will build the neccessary infrastructure, including roads and railways, while negotiating with agitators in the region to achieve peace and security.

He said through negotiation people can ventilate their grievances, instead of resorting to violence.

Tinubu said his administration will invest massively in education.

He said: “Education is the greatest weapon against poverty. We are going to get our children education. We will reform the education sector”.

“We want peace. We will talk to all agitators. You can’t get your wishes by conflict, but by sitting round the table to complain.

“For example, David Umahi said there is no dual carriage way from here to Enugu. There is need for railway to Calabar port and to link Southeast. He didn’t use violence to ask for this, but by sitting round the table to table them

Read Also: Between Tinubu and Atiku – who is the unifier?

“You can get your challenges solved by electing visionary leaders to lead the crusade for development, progress and prosperity. In me, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, you will have that Leader”.

Tinubu promised to put an end to estimated billing, which has characterized the power sector, adding: “We don’t want to go backwards. We are progressives. We will move Nigeria forward. We will do the right thing. We will make southeast the Taiwan of Africa. We can do it”

“Transportation is a must for economic resuscitation and progress. We will stop estimated billing in the power sector. We will improve the infrastructure in the power sector to end incessant outages”.

Umahi said the state should not be dragged into any ethnic sentiment regarding the election, adding that what the country needs is unity of purpose.

He noted that Ebonyi has prospered under APC, which he noted, has given the region projects like the second Nigeria bridge and the Enugu/Port Harcourt Highway.

He said Tinubu has a track record of excellence and raising leaders.

Umahi stressed: “He has raised people and always goes for the best. He has done it before in Lagos State and with our support, he will do it again.”

The Chairman of Ebonyi Traditional Rulers Council, Eze Charles Mkpuma, who spoke at the new Ebonyi State Executive Chambers, Ochudo Centenary City, Abakaliki, where Tinubu was hosted, promised the support of traditional rulers and other stakeholders for his ambition.

He urged Tinubu to facilitate the zoning of the Senate President to Ebonyi State when he becomes president.

Eze Mkpuma said: “We congratulate our incoming President, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, for your success at the primary. Our people are happy with you that you are here to see us, even though we had resolved to support you and other candidates of APC.”

Eze Mkpuma, who is also the Chairman of the Southeast Traditional Rulers Council, urged the candidate not to forget the zone.

Tinubu urged the people of Southeast to strengthen the bond of friendship between them and the people of South West by supporting his ambition.

He assured the people that they would be carried along in his administration, if elected.

He promised to develop the country, renew the hope of Nigerians and guarantee the future for generations yet unborn.

Tinubu assured that he would fulfill his promise to develop the country.

He commended Umahi for his giant infrastructural strides in Ebonyi State.

He lauded Umahi and APC governorship candidate, Francis Nwifuru, for his support and assured that he would reciprocate their solidarity.

Tinubu said: “You can be an engineer ten times over, but if don’t love your people, you may not develop your house not to talk of the state.

“When we entered this Executive Council Chambers, one would think we are in the United Nations. This is a product of intelligence and ingenuity.”

Umahi applauded Tinubu and President Muhammadu Buhari for their support for Ebonyi State.

He reiterated the resolve of his administration to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people until his term expires.

Umahi said: “Mr. President, we have performed, we have done very well here, we have discharged. Everywhere in Ebonyi State, our presence is felt.

“Anybody who wants to challenge us should tell us if we have not fared better under the APC Government.”

Umahi  said the people of Ebonyi will continue to be obedient to Tinubu and APC.

The monarchs conferred on Tinubu the chieftaincy title of Dike DË Ìra Nma, which means “a hero that is loved by the people”.

They said the title was to buttress Tinubu’s acceptability by the generality of the people, including the traditional institution.

Greater cooperation among neighbouring countries is needed to win the anti-security war in West Africa and the Sahel, President Muhammadu Buhari told regional leaders yesterday.

The President spoke at the launch of the French version of his biography “Muhammadu Buhari: The Challenges of Leadership in Nigeria” in Niamey, Niger Republic.

It was after the inauguration of a 3.8km length and 160m wide Boulevard named after him by the Government of Niger Republic.

A statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, quoted the President as saying: “My remarks will not be complete if I did not mention the escalating volatilities and multiplicity of threats across our region of West Africa and the Sahel.

“The ever-evolving nature of the threats we face underlines the need for enhanced coordination. There is no doubt that we have made incremental progress in our collective fight against terrorism and other trans-border crimes.

“However, a lot remains to be done, especially in the face of renewed efforts by violent extremist groups to expand their operations and footholds in West Africa.”

Read Also; 10 keys to tackle insecurity, by Afe Babalola

The book launch was attended by Presidents Mohamed Bazoum (Niger Republic); Umaro Sissoco Embaló (Guinea Bissau/Chairman of the Economuic Community of West African States (ECOWAS); Head of the Transition Military Council of Chad, General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno and former President of Niger Republic, Mahamadou Issoufou.

Expressing belief that terrorism and trans-border crimes in the region can be dealt with, President Buhari reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to bilateral as well as multilateral initiatives, with neighbouring partners such as Niger, Chad and Cameroun, toward realising this objective.

On the launch of book, the President said it was his fervent hope that it “would serve as a clarion call to emerging leaders across Africa, and inspire them to always be guided by the core values of hard work, integrity and patriotism.”

According to him, the lessons from the book should spur leaders to also work in accordance with the rule of law and constitutional constraints.

He thanked his host for the honour bestowed on six Nigerians in August, in recognition of their roles in strengthening the bonds between the two nations.

Buhari described the relationship between Nigeria and Niger as a true one, characterized by shared history, values and tradition.

He said: “No wonder our people are able to coexist peacefully across our shared border, which spans over 1500 kilometres, and we remain the best of brothers and neighbours.

“It gives me great pleasure to note that President Bazoum has taken active steps to consolidate those fraternal bonds since assuming leadership in April last year.

“Mr. President has undoubtedly championed the expansion of frontiers of cooperation between our two countries and fostered an environment of mutual trust, further underscoring the importance that Niger attaches to the strategic nature of our relations.”