The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, has apologised to Nigerians over the importation of the off-spec PMS.
The group managing director of NNPC Ltd, Mele Kyari, who tendered the apology when he appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Downstream, said the situation was completely unavoidable as the problem was not envisaged.
He, however, gave assurance that the distribution of petrol would nomalise in the weeks ahead.
“We regret this situation. It is completely unavoidable; we didn’t see it coming. We apologise to Nigerians. We didn’t see this coming,” he said.
Kyari disclosed that before the end of the month, about 2.1 billion litres of the product would have been injected into the system.
“I am assuring more supply plan. 2.1bn litres by the end of this month. We have enough supply. We will normalise distribution. We will contain this development,” he said.
Kyari, who gave a background to the ongoing scarcity, he blamed the situation of the cargo with the high methanol content.
According to him, the withdrawal of the five cargoes created a shortfall in product supply. He however noted that the company had imported a quantity that will close the gap and restore adequate supply.
He, however, explained that the NNPC Ltd had been in a business agreement with all importers and it was a specific requirement that fuel blended with a high quantity of methanol should not be brought into the country.
Earlier, the chairman of the committee, Abdullahi Mahmoud had told the NNPC to be up and doing in its responsibilities.
He said what happened had placed Nigerians in a very difficult situation adding that the country and its people are paying the price for a seemingly deliberate failure.
Some members of the community who expressed their anger said despite NNPC’s explanation and measures to tackle the situation, anybody who neglected his responsibilities must be held responsible.
