Tag: NNPC

• NNPC: it’s a baseless allegation

Oil marketers have accused officials of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) of extortion during the loading of petroleum products at the depots.

Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna Refineries resumed operations and have been pumping products to the depots.

The Vice President, Independent Petroleum  Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Alhaji Abubakar Dankingari who accused the state-run oil firm in a telephone conversation, lamented that the NNPC officials were sabotaging Federal Government’s genuine intentions.

But NNPC Group General Manager, Group Public Affiars Division, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu debunked the allegation also on a telephone.

Dankingari stressed that kerosene was still sold at a cut throat price across the nation consequent upon the hurdles that the marketers were still required to cross at the depots.

According to him, in all the three depots, marketers were required to present letters known as “Special Allocation from Abuja” to fast-track their loading while other independent marketers queued for the products endlessly.

He also alleged that the depots managements were selective in their dealings by always loading NNPC retail outlets and major marketers.

Dankingari accused the NNPC workers at the depots of extorting money from independent marketers before loading their trucks.

Dankigari, who commended President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources on their efforts at operationalising the refineries, however warned that managers of the entities must not thwart government’s efforts.

“All the three refineries are loading but the problem is that they are still engaged in sharp practices. They concentrate on loading major marketers and NNPC retail outlets.

“They load only few products for IPMAN members both petrol, diesel and kerosene. But they concentrate on loading major and NNPC retail outlets. They give only few quantity to IPMAN. They will not even load our members until they have extorted money from them. Most of the products they are loading in the three depots at refineries are special allocations from Abuja.

Ugamadu, who said NNPC was yet to receive any verbal or written complaints on the issue, promised a thorugh investigation on the matter upon receipt of any petition.

He said: “The refineries are on and they are producing and releasing products for consumption. So, what they mean by special allocation, I don’t know.

“All I know is that all our activities at the refineries are highly transparent just like the crude oil deal we did that day was highly transparent and it was televised live. So, I don’t understand what they mean by special allocation .

“As far as all the refineries are concerned all their activities are transparent and highly computerised.

“If we receive such complaint we are going to carry out a very thorough investigation. Nobody has complained to us either verbally or in writing.”

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has promised to fast-track the repairs of all pipelines vandalised last year to ensure stable gas supply to thermal power plants for improved power supply.
The Corporation made the commitment during a closed door meeting of operators and stakeholders in the power sector with the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, in Lagos.
A communiqué issued after the meeting, which was made available to The Nation, noted that the NNPC stated that work was ongoing on the repairs.
The report noted that the Okpai power plant in Delta State was the best performing thermal power plant last year while Shiroro was the best hydro power plant.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) said transmission projects in Shagamu, Ikeja West, Ajah, Ayobo, Omotosho, Agege and Ogba slated for completion between this April and end of this year, when completed, would improve power supply to Lagos State and environs.
According to TCN, the completion of outstanding works at switch station in Akwa Ibom State, which was inaugurated in November last year, is imperative to take full advantage of added generation capacity to deliver incremental power.
The TCN said the capacity of the grid is dynamic and with the inauguration of Ikot Ekpene switch yard, transmission capacity will be above 6,500megawatts (Mw) from the current capacity of 5,500Mw.
Stakeholders in the power sector, according to the communiqué, noted the need for government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to pay their debts, which is well over N1trillion, to power sector operators and service providers to improve liquidity in the sector.
The operators agreed they would submit all outstanding audited accounts before their next stakeholders meeting next month to improve transparency within the sector while the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trader (NBET) said all service providers should pay their bills to the it as well as suppliers to service providers to ensure the sector remains functional.
Fashola directed that customer service shall be the focus of the power sector this year and urged operators and service providers to step up the user experience of their customer by increasing metering and reducing estimated billing and prioritise safety.
Against the background of incidents in the past year, all the operators agreed to prioritise safety in all their undertakings to avoid future accidents.