The Nation Newspaper

Tag: petrol

  • Fuel price soars by 50% at depots as scarcity bites

    Fuel price soars by 50% at depots as scarcity bites

    • IPMAN orders 24hrs dispensing

    Price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), or petrol soared by about 50 per cent at  retail outlets  following the hike in price of the product at the depots, it was learnt.

    A daily industry price survey conducted by marketers at depots in Apapa, Lagos, revealed that yesterday’s average price per litre of PMS was N112 as against the normal price of N77.66 per litre. The MRS depot sold at N110 per litre, Honeywell sold at N111, while Folawiyo and Capital Oil and Gas sold at N115 per litre respectively, reflecting an increase of about 50 per cent.

    Fuel tanker drivers were seen milling around the gates of the depots looking for people that would facilitate easy access to Depot managers to enable them buy the product, even at such high prices because some of them have spent weeks waiting for their trucks to be loaded with product.

    One of the marketers, who asked not to be identified, told The Nation that currently, none of them (marketers) has fuel because, as he put it, “there is no money to import,” saying that because demand far outstrips supply now, there are grave sharp practices at the depots. He noted that the depots of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) still sell at the regulated price of N77.66 per litre, but immediately the loaded truck comes out of the gate, the product is sold to the waiting tanker drivers and marketers who are willing to pay higher margins.

    The marketer was of the view that price of petrol may rise to as high as N200 per litre at filling stations in Lagos before the week runs off, stating that it is only the NNPC that currently imports and it lacks the capacity to distribute and meet the 50 per cent daily national consumption it claims to possess. He said the turnaround time of the vessels that bring supply NNPC fuel, is very slow. Unlike marketers that use three days to discharge their vessels, each of the NNPC’s vessels takes over one week to discharge, putting pressure on demand. The timeframe between the discharge of one vessel and another is long, he said.

    The Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of NNPC, Ohi Alegbe, said the marketers are being economical with the truth because of the subsidy money owed them. There is enough to go round if the marketers sincerely distribute it, adding that the Corporation recently decided to be publishing its daily fuel supply from the depots, indicating the quantities given to marketers and the trucks that took the products, to confirm transparency and commitment of the government to providing fuel for the populace, alleging that some marketers want to discredit the government by diverting and hoarding the fuel given to them.

    He said the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu had a meeting on Wednesday last week with the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association (DAPPMA) and the Jetty and Petroleum Tank Farm Owners of Nigeria (JEPTFON), and NIPCO, to find ways to bringing the fuel scarcity to an end, and they pledged their support. He stated that the Minister assured them that the subsidy debt would soon be paid because President Muhammadu Buhari has sent a letter to members of the National Assembly regarding the matter.

    The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), has commenced 24 hours dispensing of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to end the fuel scarcity across the nation.

    President of IPMAN, Elder Chinedu Okoronkwo, in statement yesterday, said this was part of its effort to end the hardship of motorists in the country.

    He said after meeting with the officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and other security operatives last week in Abuja, the body agreed to commence dispensing across major cities non stop based on certain conditions.

    “The scarcity would soon end. NNPC management assured us of sufficient supplies, and based on the loading template, we have started seeing the changes.”

    He said the directives affect members that operate within the major cities in the country, urging that any marketer that has security issues while dispensing, should contact the security operatives, or the IPMAN headquarters in Abuja, or its zonal offices.

    Okworonkwo said some of the major challenges in the past, included failure to adequately supply its members with enough fuel, while some depot owners deliberately decided to deny his members products even though they have paid for it for a very long time.

  • Petrol sells for N200 per litre in Umuahia

    Petrol sells for N200 per litre in Umuahia

    Some independent petroleum marketers in Umuahia are selling petrol for between N170 and N200 per litre even as the seeming scarcity of the commodity lingers on.

    However, at the black market located at strategic points in the Abia state capital, the commodity sells for N300 per litre.

    A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), who monitored the situation in the area, reports that the few independent marketers selling the commodity at the approved pump price of N87 per litre are attracting long queues of vehicles as prospective buyers wait patiently for their turns to buy the commodity.

    Meanwhile, transport fare in the area has jumped by between 80 per cent and 100 per cent, depending on the distance, thereby forcing many commuters to resort to walking long distances.

    At the NNPC mega station located on the Umuahia end of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, scores of motorists and motorcyclists could be seen waiting to buy the commodity at the government-controlled price.

    A cross-section of the customers, who spoke with NAN, described the seeming scarcity as disturbing and a situation not expected during President Mohammadu Buhari’s administration.

    Augustine Okoronkwo, Steve Ahamefule, and Jenarius Ezeru, who claimed to have spent two days on the queue waiting to buy the commodity but to no avail, said that the situation had caused untold hardship to motorists.

    They, therefore, called on President Buhari to take urgent steps towards ensuring the availability of the commodity before the Christmas season.

    The Retail Sells Representative at the NNPC mega station, Mr Sampson Ene, told NAN that the station had sufficient stock, but expressed concern about what he called ‘’the disorderliness by some prospective customers.”

  • Petrol price soars as scarcity persists nationwide

    Petrol price soars as scarcity persists nationwide

    Pump price of petrol has continued to increase in towns across the country as scarcity of the product persists on Wednesday, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    A survey by NAN in major cities across the country shows that long queues have characterised the few fuel stations that are selling the product, while others remained closed.

    Some residents in Osun expressed worry over the lingering scarcity of petrol, which according to them, has worsened the living conditions of the people.

    Mr Sulaimon Ayoola, a commercial driver at Orita-Sabo in Osogbo, said the scarcity of petrol was adversely affecting businesses in the area.

    He said that a litre of petrol was being sold for between N120 and N140 per litre at few fuel stations with long queues.

    Mrs Tejumola Oso, a trader in the Orisunbare Market in Osogbo, said the high transport fares, caused by the scarcity of petrol, had affected sales in the market.

    She urged the Federal Government to quickly intervene to ease the sufferings of the people.

    A Public Affairs Analyst, Mr Dotun Deinde, described the current situation as unfortunate and urged government to immediately arrest the situation.

    NAN reports that the situation was the same in Keffi in Nasarawa State as residents agreed that government should end to the lingering fuel scarcity.

    Mrs Cecilia Austin, a commuter, said she paid N700 from Keffi to Lafia against the usual N500.

    She said the scarcity of the petroleum products was causing untold hardship to her and many others in the area.

    She advised the Federal Government to take strong measures against petroleum dealers and marketers who were hoarding petroleum products.

    Austin advised government and marketers to address the problem immediately for social and economic development of the country.

    “It is unfortunate and uncalled for that some selfish fuel marketers are creating artificial scarcity of petroleum products in the country.

    Mr Emmanuel Anejuka, another commuter, urged government to quickly address the difficulties being experienced by Nigerians.

    Mr Haruna Abdullahi, a commercial driver, accused fuel stations of sharp practices, saying that many of them had adjusted their metres above the N87.00 per litre official pump price.

    Ayuba Danjuma, another motorist, said that petrol scarcity had forced him and other drivers in the area to resort to patronising the black market.

    NAN reports that only three fuel stations were dispensing fuel with long queues out of the 13 fuel stations in Keffi.

    Residents in Owerri and other communities in Imo also urged the Federal Government to urgently address the scarcity to ease the sufferings of Nigerians.

    Correspondents of NAN, who monitored petrol sales in Owerri and other towns across Imo, report that petrol was being sold between N140 and N200 per litre.

    Many fuel stations on Port Harcourt Road, Orji Road, and Egbu Road in Owerri sold a litre of the product for between N150 and N165 per litre.

    NAN also reports that the petrol stations in other parts of the town sold the product for between N170 and N200 per litre.

    Mr Ndubuisi Emenike, a motorist, appealed to the President to find solution to the lingering petrol scarcity to restore the confidence of Nigerians on the APC-led government.

    “During the 2015 general elections, Nigerians massively supported the ‘’Change’’ mantra of the APC on the grounds that things will get better,’’.

    Another motorist, Mrs Ngozi Duru, said she went out as early as 6.45 a.m. with her children in school uniforms in the hope of getting petrol, but could not find the product to buy.

    NAN reports that intra-city and inter-city transport fares across Imo have gone up by more than 100 per cent due to the hike in the pump price of petrol.

    In Port Harcourt, most filling stations in the city were yet to commence sale of the product to motorists.

    Residents lamented the scarcity in spite of claims by the NNPC on Nov. 16 that it had deployed 38.277 million litres of petrol to depots across the country.

    Many fuel stations in the area visited by NAN sold the product for between N200 to N215 per litre.

    NAN reports that some petrol vendors are taking advantage of the situation as a 10-litre jerry-can of petrol now goes for N3, 000, while 20-litre can cost N6, 000.

    One NNPC filling station in the city sold the product at the official pump price of N87 per litre, but with long queues of motorists and other users.

    Prices of other petroleum products such as kerosene and diesel have remained unchanged at government approved prices of N50 and N125 per litre, respectively.

    A manager of a major filling station in the city told NAN, on condition of anonymity, that petroleum depots and tank farms were hoarding products over subsidy arrears owed by the Federal Government.

    The source said that depot owners now sold the petrol at high prices at night.

    “We load petrol at a very high rate at depots and as such we have to also sell at a higher price so as to make profit,’’ he said.

    According to him, if government does not intervene quickly, the product will be sold as high as N300 to N500 per litre in the next one to two weeks.

    On the reasons most stations’ metres still read N87 per litre whereas they sell above the official price, the source said the concealment was for fear of being sanctioned by the authorities.

     

  • 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.

  • NNPC gets 67,400 litres of petrol from Civil Defence

    NNPC gets 67,400 litres of petrol from Civil Defence

    Lagos State Command of Nigeria Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has handed over 67,400 litres of fuel to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) after being tested by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR).

    The products were recovered from oil vandals in the last four months.

    About 1,443 jerry cans of 25-litre each were intercepted around Badagry; 204 kegs of 50-litre each and 81 drums of 250-litre each were also seized within the Ikorodu-Ikeja axis.

    The products were loaded from creeks in Ikorodu, Escravos Apapa and Festac Town. They were to be shipped to the Republic of Benin and Togo.

    NSCDC Commandant Gabriel Abafi said the operations were because of the intelligence gathered by the undercover agents and other members of the society.

    He appealed to Lagosians to always give the corps information to enable it discharge its responsibility.

    Abafi said: “Tanker and trailer drivers have become a discomfort to motorists in the state. But I assure you that the corps will join hands with other sister-agencies to prevent the recurrence of such ugly incidents as recently witnessed in Iyana-Ipaja and Ojuelegba areas of the state in the future.”

    He told drivers not to take for granted what he called the benevolence of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, who ordered the release of vehicles arrested by LASTMA to their owners.

  • Petrol dealers arraigned for selling ‘stolen fuel’

    Petrol dealers arraigned for selling ‘stolen fuel’

    The police yesterday arraigned two petroleum product dealers, Lookman Onabanjo and Lukman Eluku (both 52), at the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly dealing in fuel loaded from vandalised pipelines.

    The two, said to own petrol stations, were arraigned on three counts each before Justice Mohammed Yunusa.

    Onabanjo is said to be the Chief Executive Officer of Gaffa Oil and Gas Limited, while Eluku runs Bugon Oil and Gas Limited.

    Eluku was arraigned along with Solomon Afolabi (30) and Adesimisola Ogunsanya (36).

    The judge ordered that they be remanded in prison custody pending hearing of their bail applications.

    Also arraigned for similar offences were Sani Idris (34) and Bode Jonah (39).

    The police said Onabanjo and others, on August 15, were caught with 16,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) loaded in several 50-litre jerry cans.

    Prosecution counsel M.O. Omosun said the product belonged to the Pipeline and Product Marketing Company (PPMC).

    He said the accused persons dealt in the product, said to be worth N1.55million, without valid licence.

    Eluku and his co-accused were accused of illegally loading 25,000 litres of PMS valued at N1.6million from a vandalised pipeline into a Mercedes truck with registration number APP 04 QX without obtaining lawful permit from the PPMC.

    The alleged offences contravene Section 3(6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17 of the Revised Edition, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, Act, 2007 and punishable under Section 17(b).

    All the accused persons pleaded not guilty.

    Their lawyer Mr. McAnthony Aikharialea said he had filed a bail application

    Justice Yunusa adjourned to August 28 for ruling.

    Similarly, Police arrested three persons – Jamiu Ajani, Demola Lawrence and Raymond for allegedly dealing in stolen petroleum products from vandalised pipelines.

    The Special Task Force on Pipeline Vandalism said 300 50-liters jerry-cans, loaded with PMS were recovered from them.

    They were intercepted at Owode area of Ikorodu in a Chevrolet truck, while transporting the ‘stolen products’ to their buyers.

    The force commander, Olumese Valentine, said members of the  syndicate operate within  Ikorodu axis.

  • Oyo residents scoop petrol from fallen tanker

    Danger was averted yesterday when residents of Boluwaji area on Lagos/Ibadan Expressway in the Oyo State capital scrambled to scoop fuel from a fallen tanker.

    The tanker, with registration number DBT 375 XA,  veered off  and fell in-between the median of the road.

    The Nation gathered that its driver slept off, thus losing control of the vehicle.

    A source said: “We just have to thank God because the vehicle fell on top of a heap of refuse littered with used tyres, which is always on fire. Imagine what would have happened, if the refuse was on fire as it used to be.

    “The driver slept off and was unable to control the vehicle, which veered off the road and fell in the median.”

    As soon as the incident happened at 9am, police officers from Boluwaji station and men of the Federal Road Safety Corps were deployed to the scene to control traffic and avert danger that might occur as a result of theft of fuel from the tanker.

    The hoodlums, it was gathered, were dispersed by the policemen.

    The security agents diverted traffic to manage the situation.

    A witness added that the men of the state fire services did not respond promptly to emergency calls, until about 3.00pm.

    It was learnt that it was after policemen at Boluwaji station provided diesel for the fire-fighters’ truck that they deployed a vehicle to flush water on the tanker.

    The area, before the fire-fighters’ arrival, was already choked with fume from the fuel that wasting away.

    As at the time of filing this report, colleagues of the driver’s transport company were already making arrangements to transfer fuel from the tanker to another one.

    The policemen, the FRSC officials and the fire-fighters, however, brought the chaotic situation under control.

    But it caused heavy traffic from Soka area of the Lagos/Ibadan expressway to Olomi Academy under bridge area.

  • Police arrest suspect with 9,500 litres of petrol in room

    Police arrest suspect with 9,500 litres of petrol in room

    The police in Lagos have arrested a suspected fuel thief Olalowo Agboola who converted a room apartment for selling petroleum products.

    Agboola was nabbed on Wednesday by officers of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) at his 24 Awoseyin Street, Somolu, Lagos residence, following a tip off.

    Agboola’s accomplice Adeola otherwise called Adex’s whereabouts is unknown.

    RRS Commander Olatunji Disu, an Assistant Commissioner for Police (ACP), said his men led by Olabode Aroge, a Superintendent of Police (SP), disguised as prospective buyers before getting him.

    The suspect was about selling the fuel for them when other policemen in uniform stormed the house, he said.

    The officers recovered 90 jerry cans of 50-litre in the room and another 900 jerry cans of 50-litre inside a vehicle totalling 49,500 litres.

    Disu vowed to arrest Adeola who Agboola claimed is the owner.

    According to him, the suspects were in the habit of selling fuel to members of public inside face-me and face you building.

    Agboola said he was just recruited into the job a month ago.

    He said: “I was a commercial bus driver before I was initiated into this fuel theft occupation. I only collect commission of N200 on each keg I was able to sell in a day. I know I was doing an illegal job but because there is no job and I have no choice than to join them to earn livelihood.

    “Adeola is the one who employed me to be his assistant. While he goes out to bring petroleum products, I will stay home to sell. I know  he will be on the run because someone might have hinted him that I have been arrested”.

    Disu said Lagos will not tolerate any act of criminality and illegal occupations.

    The commander said if the policemen have not acted swiftly and the house caught fire, it could consume the whole community following the high number of petrol and diesel found in the house.

    He urged Lagosians to report any form of illegal act in their neighbourhoods.

    “This will enhance efficiency of the police when adequate information is passed to us. We implore public to always give us useful and timely information,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the state command yesterday warned residents and motorists to be careful in handling petroleum products and desist from storing them at homes.

    Its spokesperson, Patricia Amadin, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) said the warning is coming against the backdrop of high rate of fire incidents in the state.

    Amadin said: “These incidents are arising from carelessness and mishandling of petroleum products through black racketeering and mass storage in homes. On Wednesday, a motorcycle conveying a woman with a gallon of petrol stacked in a polythene bag collided with another in Mile 12. In the process, the spilled content caught fire, which engulfed both motorcycles and four others close by.

    “The rider, the passenger and two others suffered severe burns and have been admitted at a nearby hospital for treatment.’’

  • Man held with 47 jerrycans of petrol

    Man held with 47 jerrycans of petrol

    A middle-age man, Innocent Nwevo, was yesterday in Lagos arrested with 47 jerrycans of petrol.

    He was arrested by Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Ojodu Local Council Development Area (LCDA) officials.

    The suspect, who claimed to be a food vendor, said he knew that the business is illegal but was forced into it because of what he called his failing business. He claimed he was in introduced to the business by one Mr John who resides in Mowe, Ogun State.

    Nwevo said he had six shops, adding that things became difficult for him when his workers went away with his money.

    He said he buys the fuel from Mowe and transports it in a vehicle to sell for around N5000 for 50 litres.

    Ojodu LCDA Executive Secretary Mallam Ahmed Jaji, said the team acted on a tip off that a tenant in a shop opposite Sunday Retail Market in Ogba, was stockpiling and illegally selling petroleum product.

    Jaji said he mobilised his team for an on-the-spot assessment of the place, adding that initially they didn’t get the suspect. He said they later got him and discovered several gallons of petrol, “carefully concealed behind foodstuff and other commodities in his shop”. To avoid the mobbing of the suspect, he said the team took him and the exhibit to the council.

    “We thank God that an action that could put our lives and properties in jeopardy was averted today, because, who knows what could have happened if this bunkerer was not apprehended or imagine , a keg out of the several kegs bursts, the whole environment and this area would have been in crisis.

    “Thank God, we were able to avert this.  However, having succeeded in nailing the suspect, our next line of action is to hand him over to the appropriate law enforcement agencies for further necessary action.  Though, I have at the same time intimated the relevant government agencies especially, Lagos State Government about the discovery”, Jaji said.

     

  • 69 die, 15 vehicles burnt in Onitsha petrol tanker fire

    69 die, 15 vehicles burnt in Onitsha petrol tanker fire

    Onitsha the Southeast’s commercial capital, was thrown into mourning yesterday as no fewer than 50 persons were burnt to death from the fire that broke out after a fuel-laden tanker rammed into a building.

    At least 15 L300 buses were also burnt. The tragedy occurred at about 3pm at Upper Iweka Roundabout when the tanker conveying fuel to Asaba in Delta State fell and got burnt.

    Governor Willie Obiano, who rushed to the scene, was moved to tears.

    The burnt buses were parked inside the motor park. Three motorcycles were also burnt.

    Residents gathered at the scene, crying as rescue efforts were ongoing.

    Among the dead were an expectant woman and little children, it was learnt.

    Most of the victims were passengers and readers at a newspaper stand.

    The Nigerian Red Cross Society Chairman in Anambra State, Prof. Peter Emeka Kathy, confirming the death toll said:  ”We have 69 burnt to death persons as at now. There are also 30 injured in the hospitals.

    The dead have been evaluated to various mortuaries in Onitsha, from Toronto to St Charles Boromneo Mortuaries and others in town”.

    He said the bodies will be evacuated tomorrow from the mortuaries to the teaching hospital for the necessary tests “because many of them were burnt beyond recognition.”  According to an eye witness, Victor Ugwummadu, the driver of the tanker was descending the Upper Iweka flyover from the Enugu-Nkpor end of the expressway when he lost control of the vehicle.

    Ugwummadu said the tanker caught fire a few minutes after hitting into the building.

    It is believed that the tanker’s brakes may have collapsed.

    Anambra State Police Commissioner Hosea Karma was at Upper Iweka with top security chiefs as the charred remains of the victims were being evacuated by Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) officials.

    Another eye witness, Sunday Ogbuji, described the incident as “terrible”.

    As at 5.15pm yesterday, the charred bodies were still being evacuated by security and paramilitary operatives to nearby Toronto Hospital at Upper Iweka.

    Police chief Hosea Karma described the incident as “a tragedy which is unfortunate”.

    According to him, the tanker was coming from Oguta Road end of Onitsha and was trying to link Owerri Road with loaded PMS. It lost control, falling on top of the building. It caught fire.

    The police chief said all the passengers inside those buses – he put the figure at 12 – were burnt beyond recognition.

    He added that the injured were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital. He did not mention the hospital’s name.

    Karma did not give the total figure of the dead, saying evacuation and mop-up was ongoing.

    Commissioner for Transport Chief Chuma Mbonu described the incident at Upper Iweka as “tragic” and “unfortunate”.

    He confirmed that 14 vehicles were burnt and scores trapped.

    Karna did not disclose the number of the dead, saying the announcement would be made after the government must have got the right figure.