By Princely Onyenwe, Imo
The continous importation of Petroleum, Automated Gas Oil known as Diesel, Jet oil and its affiliated Products is said to be the major clog in the wheel of progress at the Nigerian midstream and downstream sectors which has crumpled the local Refineries.
This came as a clarion call to revitalize the NIGERIAN Refineries to commence immediate operations to reduce the hike and shortage in production bedevilling the country.
Our correspodent gathered that not fewer than 11 Vessels with petroleum products are currently waiting at the high sea to berth at Lagos ports.
The vessel are carrying 20,000 metric tones (MT) of Petroleum each, 10,000MT of Diesel, 5,500MT of Jet A1 and 6,000MT of Butane gas as reported by 9News Nigeria.
The tanker vessels are marked “stemmed” and currently waiting at the lagos anchorage for possible delivery while NIGERIANs are lamenting the non- functionality of the local Refineries to ease the tempo of steady hike in the oil sector.
It was gathered that the NIGERIAN Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, held an emergency meeting with Stakeholders to review this pressing situation and to at the same instant adopt new measure to tackle the challenge.
The meeting featured stakeholders Including major Marketers and Depot owners, who noted the existence of bad petrol, illegal hawking of petroleum products and fuel hike across the states of the Federation.
This situation is likely to cause another fuel scarcity nationwide but the Government in their capacity has assured NIGERIANs of its rediness to put NIGERIAN local Refineries to work.
Government has also encouraged NIGERIANs to go into the establishment of modular refineries through its approved standard of operation hoping for more boost of petroleum products, Diesel and affiliate Products within the country.
But on the contrary, NMDPRA is requesting for more importation of cargoes thereby supporting imported Petrol.As at the time of this report, our correspodent gathered that ABUJA, Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states are experiencing long queues as a result of fuel scarcity.
Of a fact, if nothing is done by Government to put the local Refineries in good shape and more modular refineries established, there is a dissatisfaction with the looming dangers importation of fuel will cause the country.
Our Government House source hinted that supply and distribution of premium motor spirit, PMS will be in circulation across the country within a short period while some critical moves to reposition Local Refineries in NIGERIA is in top discussion.
There is no doubt the suspicion of the people are correct having waited for a whooping long time to see NIGERIAN local Refineries commence production again to help the people and also stabilize the economy.
9News Nigeria (Owerri) For inquiries on this news contact 9News Nigeria Imo State @08036856526
