Landing cost of petrol now N171.40k/litre, says NNPC
…Agony as fuel scarcity mars Xmas celebrations
From Uche Usim, Abuja
The lingering fuel scarcity has robbed many Nigerians the joy of celebrating the Christmas in their homes as thousands of motorists have their vehicles trapped in queues at various filling stations, in their bid to buy fuel.
This was as the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr Maikanti Baru, hinted that the landing cost of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol,ß has hit N171.40 a litre as at last Friday; but said government has no plans to hike the pump price.
“The Cost Insurance and Freight (CIF) price for petrol is 620 per metric ton and that translates to N171.40k/litre when computed.
“But the Federal Government, via theipelines Products Marketing Company (PPMC) has consistently indicated that the price of petrol is N145 per litre and to do that, the NNPC has to bridge the gap and keep the depot price at N133.20 per litre. It also gave a cap of N145/litre for the bridging cost for the marketers and all that. So, there is still a good margin for marketers. They should not profiteer and suffer Nigerians unduly”, he said.
The above illustration shows the government still provides partial subsidy for petrol.
Baru further said the worrisome scarcity led him to meet with President Buhari, even as he assured motorists that the situation would normalize before the weekend.
He also disclosed that 13 vessels laden with 650 million litres of petrol were discharging at various seaports across the country, adding that additional six were expected before the year winds down.
“Mr President is deeply concerned about the fuel situation. He has asked me to address the issue and also sympathize with the public over the uncomfortable scenario.
“To address the situation, the NNPC has instructed a 24-hour loading and sales operations which commenced at depots and NNPC mega stations across the country. Major marketers were also asked to carry out 24-hour operations.
“In addition to the regular supply circle, the NNPC has programmed the delivery of additional 300 million litres this month and next month to beef up national reserves to 45 million litres per day, well above the normal consumption of between 27-28 million litres per day.
“Over the last two weeks, the national truck out capacity has been beefed up to an average of 1,500 trucks (52 million litres), much higher than the 850 trucks per day across various depots across the country at a time the NNPC is the sole supplier of the product”, Baru explained.
The NNPC boss also said various agencies at the seaports have been mandated to speed up clearance processes for cargoes laden with petroleum products.
“NNPC has also activated the fuel war room to coordinate all intervention activities for supply and distribution of PMS nationwide. The team is comprised of NNPC, DPR, PEF and PPPRA with the support of the security agencies. DPR, PEF and PPPRA have scaled up monitoring activities”, he added.
The NNPC boss said ßa major challenge in ensuring adequate fuel supply was hoarding, diversion of products and greed on the part of the marketers.
However, in Abuja where the petrol scarcity has taken a frightening turn, the shortest fuel queue as observed by Daily Sun on Sunday stretched over 500 metres.
In some filling stations, the scrambling for petrol became riotous that security personnel stationed in those places had to call for reinforcements to enable them curtail the crisis.
Fuel scarcity mars Xmas celebration
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye and Fred Ezeh and Magnus Eze, Abuja and
Oluseye Ojo, Ibadan
As people in other parts the world commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ today with the trite greeting, “Merry Christmas,” for Nigerians across the six geopolitical zones, it is a tale of woes. Blighted by excruciating scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise called petrol, this year’s celebration is full of sorrow, pain and agony.
Reports from across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja showed that Nigerians are reeling in agony as they mark their bleakest Christmas ever in recent time.
A tour of many petroleum stations from East to West, North to South, yesterday, revealed that most filling stations remain without the essential product while the few dispensing have long queues, a develoment which has quadrupled cost of living and transportation across the country.
Reports from Ibadan, Benin, Kano, Abuja, Uyo, Owerri, Enugu, Lagos Abeokuta and a host of other towns and cities, the price of petrol has hit N500 per litre in most cities as against the official price of N145, an increase of over 300 per cent.
As a result, both inter and intra-state transport fares have soared.
A manager of one of the independent marketers’ filling stations in New Layout, Enugu State, Mr. Chidi Ugwu, said the increase in price was due to the recent difficulty in getting the product from the Port Harcourt depot.
“When the supply at the Port Harcourt depot normalises, the price will gradually return to normal,’’ Ugwu assured.
But a resident of Ibadan, Oyo State, Mr. Seye Ayoade, told Daily Sun at Ojo that “many of the filling stations in Ibadan have petrol, only that they have not been selling to vehicle owners. They now prefer to sell the commodity to the black market operators at higher prices in the night.
“I don’t know what the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has been doing to sanction filling stations that have been hoarding the fuel. I know a fuel station at Bashorun that took delivery of petrol seven days ago and has not sold a litre to the public, except their allies that they call ‘staff’ and black market operators.”
Meanwhile, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has sympathized with Nigerians over the hardship caused by the fuel scarcity.
CAN President, Rev. Samson Ayokunle, in a Christmas message yesterday, reawakened the consciousness of government to its primary responsibility, which is to better the lives of Nigerians.
In the statement signed by his media aide, Bayo Oladeji, the CAN president said he shared the pains and frustration of Nigerians, but encouraged them to remain faithful to God and loyal to constituted authorities.
He appealed to Nigerians to be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer because “our God is able, capable and reliable in all situations.”
The statement added: “Unfortunately, many of them could not travel for the Christmas celebration despite the holidays largely because of the fuel scarcity, unpaid salaries and other economic factors.
Buhari writes Nigerians, apologizes for hardship over fuel scarcity
However, President Muhammadu Buhari has broken his silence on the lingering fuel scarcity.
In a letter he personally signed and released to the media, the president who apologised for the hardship being experienced as a result of the scarcity, said he was abreast of the situation as he was being regularly briefed by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on its intervention to end the scarcity and ensure product availability across the nation.
He said he had directed the regulators to step up surveillance and bring an end to hoarding and price inflation by marketers.
Buhari wrote: “Dear Nigerians, the fuel scarcity being experienced nationwide is regrettable. I sympathise with all Nigerians, on having to endure needless duel queues.
“I’m being regularly briefed, especially on the NNPC’s interventions to ensure that there is enough petrol during this period and beyond. I have the NNPC’s assurance that the situation will improve significantly over the next few days, as new shipments and supplies are distributed across the country.
“I have also directed the regulators to step up their surveillance and bring an end to hoarding and their price inflated by marketers. Let me also assure that the relevant agencies will continue to provide me updates on the situation.
“I thank you all for you patience and understanding.”
Following the criticism that has trailed the timing of a 55-minute documentary on President Muhammadu Buhari, entitled: “The Human Side of President Buhari”, which portrays him in a light that majority of Nigerians have not seen him, the Special Adviser to the President on
Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, in a statement explained the reason the documentary is being aired now.
The documentary is billed to Air on NTA on Sunday and Tuesday and on Channels Television on Christmas Day.
According to Adesina notwithstanding the fact that country is facing severe fuel scarcity, life is not about doom and gloom, adding that we must not sit in ashes and wear sackcloth perpetually, and ignore the brighter side of life.
The presidential spokesman noted: “I have read a lot of reactions, particularly online, on the timing of the airing of the documentary on President Muhammadu Buhari, slated for December 24 and 25, 2017, respectively, by 8 p.m on NTA and Channels Television.
“Some of the comments are borne out of genuine concern, which we appreciate, while others are virulent, coming from inveterate complainers. Fault finding is the stock-in-trade of such people, and if they mistakenly find themselves in Heaven, they would even complain against God. They have no other pastime.
“The reactions mainly dwell on the fact that a documentary showing the human side of the president (as against the well-known iron and steel) is coming at a time there is severe fuel scarcity in the country. And I say, why not? Is life all about doom and gloom? Must we sit in ashes and wear sackcloth perpetually, and ignore the brighter side of life? God forbid!
“The current fuel crisis is a combination of snafu (Situation Normal All Fouled Up) in the distribution process of petrol (which the NNPC admitted at the onset of the problem), and deliberate mischief and sabotage by some marketers, who want to force the hands of government to increase the pump price. Then, the situation is further compounded by hoarding of products, and panic buying. And government is working round the clock to restore normalcy, which will come in a matter of time.
“Should we then be perpetually like King Lear at his worst, and consign ourselves to the doldrums occasioned by fuel scarcity at a festive period? No. Despite the temporal pains, life must continue, and we must look at the cheery side, while government works hard to bring succour.
“That is why I disagree with armchair critics, who wail at the drop of a hat. Millions of Nigerians appreciate President Buhari, love himpassionately, and would watch the airing of the documentary, which shows the president in a perspective not very well known before.
“It’s a spice for the holiday season, and not even ephemeral fuel crisis would dampen the enthusiasm of positive minded Nigerians.”
Nigerians celebrating worst Christmas ever –PDP
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described this year’s Christmas as the worst to be celebrated by Nigerians.
It said it was disheartening that Nigerians could not merrily celebrate the Yuletide due to the current biting economic hardship worsened by the acute fuel shortage, all due to the alleged shambolic policies, sheer incompetence and gross insensitivity of the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government.
The party, however, called on Nigerians not to despair but to use the occasion to show love, care and encourage one another regardless of religious, ethnic and political inclinations.
PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, in a statement in Abuja yesterday, described the nation’s economic situation as a national embarrassment which cannot be glossed with deceit, lies and propaganda, urging Nigerians to overcome this very sordid situation by rallying around one another in true love as epitomised in the birth and teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.
“Indeed, this is the worst Yuletide ever. There is no way one can sugarcoat the fact that the anguish Nigerians face today is because of the incompetence of the APC government, which has also amply demonstrated that it does not care about the welfare and happiness of the citizens.
“Our country’s economic situation has astronomically gone from bad to worse in the last two years and painfully, there is no hope in sight under this APC regime.
“As we speak, many families are completely stranded; many more can no longer afford their basic needs.
“Nigerians have become ravaged by economic hardship because the APC-led Federal Government has abandoned them and refused to channel the abundant resources available in the nation for the good of the people. Instead, they are heartlessly diverting such resources for their selfish political purposes while the people suffer.
“These horrendous realities imposed on us by the APC notwithstanding, we must not become despondent,” PDP said.
Nevertheless, he said that the Christmas season presents Nigerians very strong lessons in hope and their collective triumph over adverse situations as exemplified in the birth and teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.
He also called on Nigerians to join hands with the main opposition party to rescue the country in 2019.
“Now that it has become manifest, even by their speeches this season, that those who promised Nigerians El Dorado do not have the littlest capacity to fulfil the smallest of their promises, we as a people must not also abandon ourselves.
“We must, therefore, rise above all divisive ethnic, religious and political considerations and make this season merry by helping and encouraging one another in love.
“The ugly situation we all confront today as a people must, therefore, serve as the catalyst for a prosperous tomorrow as Nigerians join hands with the PDP to restore our dear nation to the path of good governance and national prosperity come 2019”.
Ologbodiyan further urged Nigerians to use this period to pray for the prosperity and unity of the nation.
Fuel scarcity is to punish Biafrans, Christians -MASSOB
•Govt should make life easy for Nigerians –Bishop
From Jeff Amechi Agbodo, Onitsha and George Onyejiuwa, Owerri
Leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Mr. Uchenna Madu, has described the current fuel scarcity in the country as artificial, saying it was meant to punish Christians, mostly Biafrans, who are travelling to their homelands for Yelutide.
Madu, who made the disclosure in a statement yesterday also described the fuel scarcity as handiwork of President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government.
The MASSOB leader queried why the scarcity was mostly experienced during the Christmas period, saying no matter the level of stigmatisation, subjections, mesmerisation, intimidations and economic sabotage against Biafrans and Christians, the group will never succumb to pressures of oppressors.
He lambasted the All Progressives Congress (APC)- led Federal Government for their insensitivity in the real governance that will sustain the social stabilities, infrastructural development and health care of the citizens.
“The governance styles and policies including the ethno -religious sentiments of President Buhari-led federal government is the worst in the fragile history of Nigeria.
“MASSOB is truly comfortable with the present system because it justifies and eulogises our self-determination struggle for Biafra actualisation and restoration.
“MASSOB also disagrees with President Buhari that Nigeria has survived. Nigeria can never survive the heat of Biafra as long the people of Biafra and Christians are being oppressed and religiously stigmatised.
“We also wish to remind President Buhari that he still remains the last president of united Nigeria because Nigeria will certainly collapse in 2019.
“In 2018, as politicians are planning and warming up for the 2019 general elections, the coalition of Biafra agitators will be executing the Biafra referendum programmes, even leading agitators of restructuring of Nigeria state will add more value,” Madu stated.
Meanwhile, the Anglican Bishop, Diocese of Egbu, Rev. Geoffrey Okorafor, has urged governments at all levels to explore ways of making life comfortable for Nigerians during Christmas and New Year festivities.
Bishop Okorafor gave the advice while delivering the Christmas and New Year message yesterday at the Chapel of Holy Spirit, Bishop’s Court, Egbu in Owerri North Local Government Area, Imo State.
He appealed to those in authorities to ensure that workers receive their salaries as at when due, while pensioners also receive their gratuities and fuel be made available to reduce the economic hardship.
The prelate congratulated Christians and all Nigerians for the grace to witness the 2017 Christmas and enjoined them to appreciate the essence of the celebration, being the birth of the Saviour of the world, Jesus Christ.
He also noted that Christ was humble, little wonder he was born in a manger, adding that the humility exhibited in the birth of Christ should be a watch word for all humanity.
According to him, the love exhibited by the birth of Christ should motivate the people into demonstrating love and kindness to one another, stressing that the disillusionment in the land should also be addressed.
However, the bishop expressed fears that Nigerians were being subjected to long queues at filling stations, which he said ought not to have been if the people had imbibed kindness and love, the reason for Christmas.
He posited that irrespective of how highly placed a person maybe, such fellow should show humility and love,
Okorafor also enjoined the privileged not to lose sight of the downtrodden who look on them for some measures of assistance.