By Muhammad Nasir Bashir

The price of Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS) has risen to N340 per litre in Dutse, the Jigawa State Capital.

The situation has subjected the residents, especially motorists, to chaos and hardships due to the scarcity of the commodity.

A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), who monitor petrol filling stations on Sunday, observed that long queues of vehicles distorted normalcy at the stations.

The filling stations are selling the product at exorbitant cost of N340 per litre while the Dutse NNPC mega station Retail Stations had been under lock and key since Jan. 8 following a fire outbreak.

Also, most of the filling stations within the city were not opened for a long period of time.

At Awajil Global Resources, IMG Petroleum, Maruta Petroleum and Investment, all on Ibrahim Aliyu bye-pass, motorists and commercial motorcyclists were on long queues waiting to refuel their tanks.

Also, Audu Manager filling station and AA Kankani Nig. Ltd, on Olusegun Obasanjo Road had long queues of vehicles, and were also selling the product at the same price.

Filling stations like A.S.A Oil Nig. Ltd., B.A Bello Nig. Ltd and Matrix, all on Ibrahim Aliyu bye-pass, were either not having or selling the product.

Most of the motorists who spoke with (NAN) expressed dissatisfaction over the non availability of the product.

A motorist, Malam Aminu Muhammad, described the situation as frustrating and urged the Federal Government and other authorities concerned to bring lasting solutions to the chaos.

Also commenting, Muhammad Askira, said the Federal Government should ensure that security agencies monitored the filling stations and ensure that products were sold at the approved price.

Also, a farmer, Ahmad Rufa’i, said the ugly situation was making him to produce at loss.

“I plant wheat maize and every week I need at least 20 litres to water my farms. And I need to water these two farms at least 20 times.

“So how much money do you expect me to spend on fuel alone, not talk of transport and other logistics.

“So most of us are doing this farming without any certainty of wether we gain or we loose,” Rufa’i said.

The managements of the filling stations declined comments on the sad situation, because “we are not authorised to speak to the press”. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Auwalu Birnin kudu/Idris Abdulrahman

By Emmanuella Anokam

Residents and motorists in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and its environ have continued to lament the hardship being experienced as scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), known as petrol worsened.

A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) who monitored the filling stations on Friday reports that long queues of vehicles were seen at all the stations that have the petroleum product.

Those that have the product were dispensing at N195 per litre while the NNPC Limited Retail stations were dispensing N194 per litre.

A good number of the filling stations were seen without having the product.

In the City centre, NNPC Limited Mega station by Church Gate and NNPC Limited retail station at Zone 1, Wuse were seen with long queues of vehicles.

Conoil and TotalEnergies filling stations, opposite NNPC Limited Towers also had long queues of vehicles.

The situation is also the worse along Nyanya-Keffi high way, as many filling stations did not have petroleum product,
while along Lugbe, Airport road, queues were seen at Danmana, NIPCO, Shafa and AA Rano filling stations.

Many motorist expressed dissatisfaction over the non availability of the product, adding that the situation was frustrating and demoralising as they normally stay over the next day to get fuel.

“I usually queue till 12 midnight and the next day to get fuel. If not, my taxi business will suffer a loss,” Mr Ismaila Jimoh said.

My Sadiq Yakubu said though he was on Coupon Queue, to be charged through his credit card but it had not been easy, calling on the Federal Government to hasten up with laudable decision to resolve it.

Mr Peter Okpe, Manager, TotalEnergies station who appealed to the government to find lasting solution to the crisis said though it always served motorists for 24 hours but its queues had become too long because enough product was not in circulation.

NAN reports that President Muhammadu Buhari recently approved the constitution of a 14-man Steering Committee on Petroleum Products Supply and Distribution management to find lasting solution to disruptions in the supply and distribution of petroleum products.

Other terms of reference of the committee are to ensure national strategic stock management, visibility on the NNPC Limited refineries rehabilitation programme and ensure end-end tracking of petroleum products, especial PMS to ascertain daily national consumption and eliminate smuggling. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

By Emmanuella Anokam

The Federal Government says the current Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) distribution hitch is heightened by the activities of cross-border smugglers who divert petroleum products to sell at higher prices in neighbouring countries.

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) made this known in an update it issued on Friday on the supply and distribution of PMS nationwide.

It said that the smugglers were diverting PMS meant for the Nigerian market to neighbouring countries where the prices are significantly higher than the regulated price.

The authority said it was engaging and collaborating with the Nigeria Customs Service to address the issue.

It noted that the price arbitrage between Nigeria and neighbouring countries had continued to grow due to inflation and regional impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on global energy value chain.

The authority added that international freight rates and coastal vessels charter rates contributed to the development.

It further said that the ongoing government effort to rehabilitate strategic Nigerian roads ahead of the rainy season had necessitated rerouting of tanker trucks conveying petroleum products to alternative roads.

This, it said, had increased transit time and associated cost of product transportation.

“The NMDPRA and key stakeholders including NNPC Ltd. have put various measures in place to address the issues.

“The measures include modest adjustment in the cost of product transportation to cater for the impact of high price of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), known as Diesel on transporters, while making special provision of diesel to marketers at a reduced price,” it said.

It listed others as automation of products sales interface and emplacement of a monitoring system in collaboration with government security agencies for distribution of products to retail outlets.

The measures also included extended operating hours both at the loading depots and some selected filing stations, rehabilitation of critical fuel distribution road network through Federal Government’s tax credit scheme by the NNPC and regular stakeholders’ engagements; among others.

It said it had reinforced its monitoring teams and appropriate sanctions to checkmate the activities of erring marketers who were distorting the planned product flow to designated outlets in order to profiteer from price arbitrage have been emplaced.

“As a medium to long term measure, cost-efficient means of transportation, including Autogas conversions and pipeline rehabilitation, are being implemented.

“This will be complemented by end-to-end process automation across the value chain.

“The authority wishes to reassure all Nigerians that there is PMS sufficiency of over 1.6 billion litres as of Jan. 26, 2023 both on land and marine,” it said.

The authority said the NNPC Ltd had additionally made firm commitment to supply more volume of PMS for the months ahead to guarantee national energy security and nationwide availability at the government regulated price.

“NMDPRA appreciates the collaborative efforts of some patriotic oil marketing companies who, despite the glaring incentives to engage in illegal price arbitrage, have stood steadfast and operated responsibly within the approved pricing limits.

“We reassure all Nigerians that NMDPRA would continue to work passionately to ensure energy security and continuous collaboration with relevant stakeholders to restore normalcy in the PMS supply and distribution network within the shortest possible time,” it said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

By Emmanuella Anokam

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has underscored the need for accurate crude oil and natural gas production and revenue generation in line with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.

Mr Gbenga Komolafe, Commission Chief Executive, NUPRC, made this known on Thursday in Abuja at the opening of its Two-Day Workshop on Production Determination, Accounting and Reconciliation for Crude Oil, Natural Gas and Condensate.

Komolafe, represented by Mr Enorense Amadasu, Deputy Director, Development and Production said the workshop was aimed at sensitising the oil stakeholders on the statutory requirements on oil production.

He said the workshop would discuss modalities and NUPRC’s requirements for production verification in line with the provisions of the PIA 2021, then obtain industry’s feedback/input on NUPRC’s requirements.

He emphasised on the importance of accurate crude production across the hydrocarbon value chain for optimal revenue generation.

In an overview, Mr Idris Abdurahman, Deputy Manager, Crude Oil Accounting, Crude Oil Terminal Operation dwelt on NUPRC’s statutory mandate and PIA’s provisions.

Abdurahman explained that the upstream sector as defined by Section 318 of the PIA 2021 covered exploration, production and operations of crude oil and natural gas.

“Our major focus is on business continuity and low cost of production, accurate measurement and timely payment of royalty revenue security to government.

“We also focus on uninterrupted supply of crude oil and natural gas to domestic market for energy security of the nation, including safety, health and environment,” he said.

He said the PIA 2021 also mandated the NUPRC to ensure end-to-end production accounting and certification from Well head to terminal.

He further said that it allocated petroleum production quotes for the purpose of curtailing export of petroleum in conjunction with NNPC Limited pursuant to regulation.

He said section 241 of the PIA provided that there shall be levy upon the profits of any company engaged in upstream petroleum operations in relation to crude oil, a Tax to be known as Hydrocarbon Tax which shall be charged and assessed.

“Section 262(1) provides that subject to this Act in relation to any accounting period, all revenue of a company for that period shall be the value of any chargeable oil adjusted to the measurement points.

“This shall be based on the proceeds of chargeable oil sold by the company, and value of all chargeable oil disposed by the company. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

By Aderonke Ojediran

Tilt Energy, an integrated Energy company based in Lagos, says Nigeria is expected to increase her power capacity with an additional 125 megawatts to the national grid by end of first quarter 2023.

The Managing Director of Tilt Energy, Mr Deji Awodiji, disclosed this during the commissioning of the NNPC Gas Marketing Limited (NGML) gas distribution office, in Ikeja, Lagos.

Awodiji said this would be with the completion of the Olorunsogo Power Plant by the Niger Delta Power Company.

The managing director explained that the Niger Delta Power Company was currently revamping the steam turbine of the Olorunsogo power plant, which was located in Ogun State.

“Once we are done with that project, we expect about 125 megawatts extra to be added to the grid from the steam turbine alone, which we’re working on.

“We’re fixing the steam turbine of the Olorunsogo power plant. We’ve been working on that for a couple of years also we are nearing completion within this first quarter of this year.”

According to him, the Olorunsogo Power Plant project is a very significant milestone for a local company to execute working with strategic partners like Schneider Electric.

Speaking further on the just commissioned NGML gas distribution office, he said the project shows the pedigree of a company.

Awodiji said this was not just to be able to do construction projects of this standard but to be able to work in the oil and gas industry, with their safety standards.

He noted that Tilt Energy had a very strong fabrication base and process automation, adding that it was proud to have been part of many flagship projects, including this.

Awodiji said aside from being able to work in the oil and gas industry, Tilt Energy had also shown its capacity to work in a live site, where you have gas distribution.

The managing director said the company was glad to have completed the project without any safety incidents.

“We are glad for NNPC gas marketing limited for giving us this opportunity to showcase our core competence.

“Like I said, we are an engineering, procurement, construction and installation (EPCI) company, so civil construction is literally just a small part of what we do,” he said.

Awodiji said further that the NNPC Gas Marketing Limited office was designed and constructed by Tilt Energy on schedule within the stipulated 12 months time frame.

“We actually started in December 2021, and we more or less concluded in December 2022, and commissioned in January 2023.

“So, let us call it 13 months.”

Speaking, Mr Justin Ezeala, Managing Director, NNPC Gas Marketing Limited (NGML), said that in spite of the challenges Tilt Energy had at the beginning, he was particularly proud of their capacity to deliver on schedule.(NAN)(www.nannews.)

Edited by Vivian Ihechu

By Ella Anokam

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) says it has organised a Bidders’ Conference/Investors Forum for stakeholders in the sector, to fast track implementation of the Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme (NGFCP).

This is contained in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja signed by the NUPRC Chief Executive, Mr Gbenga Komolafe, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

He said the conference would offer stakeholders and investors in the country’s upstream petroleum sector the opportunity to seek clarifications on the programme.

The forum billed for Feb. 2, 2023 in Abuja would hold barely a month after a similar conference in Lagos on Jan. 16, for interested stakeholders and investors in the proposed mini bid round for deep offshore oil fields.

Komolafe said participants in the forum would include qualified applicants, financiers, technology providers, equipment manufacturers, service providers, funders, and other interested entities.

He said it would also facilitate engagements of qualified applicants with technology providers, prospective lenders, financial institutions as well as foster business relationships and partnerships for the overall programme success.

According to Komolafe, the NUPRC in August 2022 re-launched the NGFCP 2022, to drive Nigeria’s commitment to end routine gas flaring within the decade, support the imperatives of the Nigeria Energy Transition Plan (ETP) and create value from waste.

He said the NGFCP 2022 had been restructured to reflect current gas flaring situation, prevailing operational realities in the industry, and changes in the socio-economic landscape due to the passage of time since the NGFCP was originally conceived in alignment with the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 (PIA).

“The NGFCP 2022 is therefore modified to deliver end-to-end value from flare gas commercialisation to both existing and new participants.

“In accordance with Section 105 (2) of the PIA and similar provisions enabling the Commission in that respect, the Commission commenced the Request for Qualification (RFQ) stage of the NGFCP 2022.

“This was through the issuance of Statement of Qualification (SOQ) to enable existing applicants to validate their status and for new investors to register to participate through the NGFCP website/ portal.

“The NGFCP 2022 recorded significant interest from stakeholders including existing participants, new investors, multi-lateral institutions, equipment manufacturers and the wider investment communities, both domestic and international.

“As at the SOQ submission deadline, 300 companies/entities had registered their interest to either revalidate their prequalification status as existing participants or submit Statement of Qualification (SOQ) as new participants.

“Also, in line with the provisions of the RFQ, the SOQ evaluation exercise was conducted by the Commission where in a total of 139 applicants were deemed successful and awarded the Qualified Applicant status,” he said.

To that end, and in reliance on Section 105 (2) of the PIA and similar provisions enabling the Commission in that respect, he said the Commission had published the list of qualified applicants who will proceed to the Request for Proposal (RFP) phase of the NGFCP 2022.

He further said details of the SOQ evaluation exercise could be accessed on the NUPRC website and NGFCP portal via www.nuprc.gov.ng and ngfcp.nuprc.gov.ng, respectively. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Rabiu Sani-Ali

By Ella Anokam

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the constitution of a 14-man Steering Committee on Petroleum Products Supply and Distribution management to find lasting solution to disruptions in the supply and distribution of petroleum products.

The Steering Committee, which will be chaired by Buhari, has the Minister of State for Petroleum Resource Chief Timipre Sylva as Alternate Chairman.

Sylva, in a statement by his Senior Adviser (Media and Communications), Horatius Egua said the committee would among other things ensure transparent and efficient supply and distribution of petroleum products across the country.

To further ensure sanity in the supply and distribution across the value chain, Sylva directed the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to ensure strict compliance with the government approved ex-depot and retail prices for PMS.

The minister also directed the NMDPRA to ensure that NNPC Limited, which is the supplier of last resort meets the domestic supply obligation of PMS and other petroleum products in the country.

He further directed that the interests of the ordinary Nigerian is protected from price exploitation on other deregulated products such as Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) and Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG).

“The Federal Government will not allow misguided elements to bring untold hardship upon the citizenry and attempt to discredit government’s efforts in consolidating the gains made thus far in the oil and gas sector of the economy,” he said.

Other terms of reference are to ensure national strategic stock management, visibility on the NNPC Limited refineries rehabilitation programme and ensure end-end tracking of petroleum products, especial PMS to ascertain daily national consumption and eliminate smuggling.

Members of the committee also include Minister of Finance, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, National Economic Adviser to the President and Director-General, Department of State Services (DSS).

Others are Comptroller-General, Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Member (EFCC), and Commandant-General, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

The Steering Committee members also include Authority Chief Executive NMDPRA, Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPC Limited, Special Advisor (Special Duties) to the HMSPR while the Technical Advisor (Midstream) to the HMSPR will serve as Secretary.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that PMS approved ex depot price is N148.17 per litre as at 2022
while NNPC retail stations dispense at N179, other filling stations dispense between N180 and N184. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Emmanuella Anokam

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva says the Federal Government has not approved any increase in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise called petrol.

In a statement, on Friday in Abuja, Sylva said that President Muhammadu Buhari had not approved rise in the pump price of PMS as being bandied around.

“President Muhammadu Buhari has not approved any increase in the price of PMS or any other petroleum product for that matter.

“There is no reason for the President to renege on his earlier promise not to approve any increase in the price of PMS at this time.

“Mr President is sensitive to the plight of the ordinary Nigerian, and has said repeatedly that he understands the challenges of the ordinary Nigerian and would not want to cause untold hardship for the electorate.

“Government will not approve any increase of PMS secretly without due consultations with the relevant stakeholders,” he said.

He said that the President had not directed the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) or any agency for that matter to increase the price of fuel.

According to him, this is not the time for any price increase in pump price of PMS.

The Minister explained that what was playing out was the handiwork of mischief makers and those planning to discredit the achievements of the President in the oil and gas sector of the economy.

“I appeal to Nigerians to remain calm and law abiding as the government is working hard to bring normalcy to fuel supply and distribution in the country,” he said.

Meanwhile, checks by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja revealed that the NNPCL retail outlet, Zone 1, Wuse and NNPCL Mega Station by Church Gate currently adjusted pump price of PMS to N194 per litre against N179 amidst long queues of consumers.

Other petroleum marketers in the FCT are currently selling PMS between N195 and N280 per litre.

However, some motorists and consumers decried the difficulties occasioned by the current fuel scarcity in the territory and beyond. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Rabiu Sani-Ali