The Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) has said it is not withholding import licences from oil marketers to bring refined petroleum products into the country.
The denial is coming as long fuel queues returned on Friday at the filling stations in Lagos, Abuja, and other major cities in the country, making rife speculations that the long-awaited deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector has actually commenced from November 1, (yesterday), as originally planned by the Federal Government. The government had earlier said it was shelving the plan until it was able to resolve all outstanding issues with all the concerned parties in petroleum marketing supply and distribution.
The agency, in a statement on Sunday, said it has not stopped issuing licences to petroleum products marketers to import fuel, “There is no iota of truth in the statement credited to the Agency that the Federal Government has given a directive preventing the importation of petroleum products.”
The statement, which was signed by the agency’s Executive Secretary, Abiodun Ibikunle, also said, “Ordinarily, we would have ignored such inciting and misleading reports, but for the purposes of putting the facts straight, the Agency has deemed it necessary to state the issues as they truly are.
“Indeed, products have been imported into the country in large volumes to meet our national requirements. The Agency has continued to monitor the supply situation and is taking every step required to ensure that there is no disruption whatsoever in the supply system.
“With all emphasis at our disposal, the Federal Government has not directed the Agency to act contrary to the provision of its mandate; to ensure availability of products nationwide and maintain a level playing field for all stakeholders,” Mr. Ibikunle said.
Fuel queues persist
The fuel queues, which appeared across the country on Friday persisted throughout the weekend, with many filling stations already shut down and the few that were seen dispensing fuel were doing so from one or two nozzles.
The spokesperson for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Levi Ajuonuma, dismissed it as, “Panic buying because people think there will be some increase (in fuel price) on the 1st of November, and then coupled with sharp practices by filling stations who are selling with just one nozzle because they want to make more profit.”
He said the queues are unnecessary, and gave the assurance that the NNPC has “more than enough” products. “You can see how people are creating stress and crisis for other people,” Mr. Ajuonuma said.
The spokesperson for the corporation said that the Federal Government has not fixed a definite date for the commencement of deregulation, as it is still negotiating with all the parties concerned.
“Contrary to recent speculations in the media on the proposed deregulation of the downstream oil sector, the Agency has not received directives from any quarter that the policy will commence on November 1, 2009. Nigerians are hereby reassured of government’s determination to continue to engage all stakeholders on the subject before the take-off of the policy,” said the pricing regulatory agency boss.
“The PPPRA hereby wishes to assure Nigerians of its commitment to service delivery and its continued resolve in ensuring adequate supply and distribution of petroleum products nationwide.
Allegation of kickbacks
After the allegation of kick back amounting toN75m daily levelled against the NNPC/Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC), the marketing and distribution arm, for petroleum products importation, the corporation said it follows due process in the award of quarterly licences as approved by the PPPRA.
The Group Managing Director, NNPC, Mohammed Barkindo, said that no cartel or mafia receives any commission from any Oil Trader or private depot owner as is being alleged.
Mr. Ibikunle, said that the NNPC does not issue import permits, rather it is the PPPRA that gives approval for petroleum products imports.
source: 234next.com
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