Fuel queue returns in Abuja, as NNPC assures of adequate product
…Says Escravos pipeline gas supply resumes
As vehicle queue returns in all the petrol stations in the nations’ capital, Abuja, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has warned motorists not to panic over the speculated and persisting fuel scarcity across the country, just as it said that the repaired Escravos pipeline has resumed supply nationwide.
The NNPC who assured motorists that the Corporation has robust stock of PMS, otherwise called petrol, says it has sufficient product, to serve the nation for more than 30 days.
This plea comes on the heels of queues noticeable in some fuel stations, especially in Abuja.
Motorists are advised to report any marketer selling above N145 per litre of petrol or hoarding the products to the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) which is statutorily empowered to deal with such issues.
DPR has offices located in all parts of the country.
Law enforcement agencies would mete out appropriate sanctions to operators of fuel stations who engage in hoarding or sell products above the recommended band.
Meanwhile, the Managing Director of NNPC Dr. Maikanti Baru, has directed that repair works should be executed immediately on the Escarvos to Lagos Pipeline (ELP) ruptured by an explosion along Egbokodo-Omadino, in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State to restore supplies from Escravos.
Dr. Baru further directed that gas supply from other sources like Oben, Oredo, Sapele, Ughelli and Utorogu be stepped up to augment any shortfalls as repair works have commenced on the pipeline.
The Escravos pipeline supplies gas to power plants, in addition to feeding the West Africa Gas Pipeline System.
Daily Times recalls that ELPS-C (downstream) of this pipeline was incinerated by a bush fire January 2 at Abakila, in Ondo State, which had since been rectified and brought back to service.
The earlier fire incident had affected gas supply to customers in Ondo, Ogun and Lagos State with subsequent shutdown of some power plants with a combined generating capacity of 1,143MW.
Idu Jude, Abuja
