The Nation Newspaper

Tag: depots

  • Petrol: Loading commences at Ejigbo, Monsimi depots

    Oil marketers have commenced lifting petrol at Ejigbo depot in Lagos and Mosinmi depot in Ogun State with as many as over 4,000 trucks on the queue, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    NAN correspondent, who monitored the loading activities on Monday in Lagos and Ogun State, confirmed that loading of petrol commenced at both depots with trucks coming from the northern part of the country.

    It will be recalled that depots in the South West were shut in Sept.18 and Sept. 22 due to pipeline vandalism in Arepo.

    Mr Ayo Alanamu, the Acting Chairman, IPMAN in Ejigbo Satelite Depot, confirmed to NAN that they received the product at the weekend and loading commenced immediately.

    Alanamu said that this would reduce stress of loading at Apapa depot, adding that marketers were now relieved.

    He assured consumers that they would now get petrol at approved depot price.

    “Over 2,000 trucks drivers have been sleeping here in the last three weeks in anticipation that they will receive the product as its very difficult to park at Apapa.

    “We hope that pumping of product to this depot will last and ease the suffering of loading at Apapa jetty.

    “We, IPMAN at Ejigbo Satellite depot, have given our words to support Federal Government in fighting vandals along the western coast,’’ he said.

    At Mosinmi depot, an official of PPMC who proffered anonymity, confirmed to NAN that pumping and loading of petrol had since commenced.

    The source said that lifting of petrol commenced immediately the directive was received from Abuja to start operation and this was done throughout the weekend and Monday morning.

    A truck driver, Mallam Kabir Sanni, told NAN that he was happy that he could load from Mosinmi.

    “Most of us came as far as from Abuja, Kaduna and Kano to load petrol since three weeks, but found it extremely difficult to load at Apapa.

    “I beg the official of this depot to work throughout the day and night so that many trucks will load and leave for their destination on time,’’ Sanni said.

  • Scarcity: DPR investigates petroleum depots in Lagos

    Scarcity: DPR investigates petroleum depots in Lagos

    The Department of Petroleum Department (DPR) might have commenced investigation on erring petroleum products marketers following the subsisting national energy crisis and its effects on Nigerians.

    A source close to DPR management told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the orgnisation was only being proactive in the face of the national energy crisis.

    The source said that DPR was aware of the illegal activities of petroleum marketers, especially the sale of products above government approved price.

    He said that the department was currently investigating the source of higher pricing of products, especially the depots with a view of getting the actual price of loading of various products.

    “We have received information on petrol stations selling above the pump price of N87 per litre but we do not want to commence the sealing of stations without getting the actual price from the depots.

    “We do not want to add to the problem of scarcity by sealing up the petrol station at this period.

    “If you go around, you will see Nigerians carrying jerry cans looking for the products.
    “If we start to seal petrol station without confirming the loading price from depots, we are also punishing the people as well as the marketers.

    “We have commenced investigation on the loading price from the depots, when we are through with depot then we will start to work on the petrol stations selling above the price.
    “All the same, we have continued to warn those selling above the selling government approved price to desist from the action.

    “Any of the station caught selling above the approved price will have its license revoked and the stations will be sealed,” he said

  • IPMAN wants FG to ban private depots

    IPMAN wants FG to ban private depots

    The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) at the weekend urged the Federal Government to ban private depots in the country and concentrate on reviving ailing government-owned depots.

    The acting Chairman of the association in the country’s South-East zone, Mr Chukwudi Ezinwa, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu.

    Ezinwa said the proliferation of private depots across the country would always be a major challenge for the revival and effective operation of government-owned depots in the zone.

    “Private depots do not care who you are, whether or not you are a marketer. They do not want to know, once you pay money into their account. It is wrong.

    “So government should ban private depots and focus on their depots. If the depot is working, our business will be flourishing. But if the depots are not working, we have a problem.

  • Terminal operators decry govt’s decision on container depots

    The Indigenous Bonded Terminal Association of Nigeria (IBTAN) has criticised the Federal Government’s plan to establish new Inland Container Depots (ICDs) in some parts of the country.

    The association said it is another attempt to kill the indigenous Bonded Terminals which had been struggling to survive since operations at the ports were handed over to concessionaires in 2006.The association said it found it hard to believe that the government will be considering such plan when Indigenous Bonded Terminal Operators and their N1 trillion investments are dying.

    The Minister of Transport Senator Idris Umar said at a forum in Abuja that the government would license more ICDs to make for efficient cargo delivery.

    Its Secretary General, Mr. Haruna Omolajomo, who spoke on behalf of the association, said there are six ICDs in the country which are not working years after they were issued licensces.

    He wondered why the government is now talking about licensing new ICDs while the other ones are not working.Haruna listed problems confronting the ICDs to include lack of funds, political factors and lack of functional railway system.