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The Federal Government has set up a taskforce to determine the actual volume of petrol being consumed on a daily basis in the country.
This was disclosed at the launch of “Operation White,” which is meant to ensure transparency and accountability of petroleum products supply and distribution in the country.
The taskforce, which has about five months to sanitise the industry and clear it of all illicit activities, also has the mandated to ensure that every molecule of petrol that is brought into the country, delivered and supplied to filling stations is accounted for.
This is part of efforts to also ascertain the volume that is smuggled across the border with the aim of putting in place measures that would curb smuggling of the product to neighbouring countries.
The minister of state for petroleum, Timipre Sylva, who was represented by the executive secretary of Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF), Ahmed Boboyi, at the launch of “Operation White” in Lagos, weekend, said the strategic initiative was aimed at ensuring all molecule of petroleum products imported by NNPC was utilised within the border of this country.
It behoves on industry players to ensure that petroleum product supply and distribution chain in the country is devoid of illicit practices, such as diversion and smuggling of petroleum products, he said. These illegal acts, he said, constitute economic sabotage.
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To do these certainly requires commitment and diligent and robust partnership among various downstream stakeholders, he said.
The minister, who had earlier last Thursday visited the taskforce Command and Control Centre at the NNPC Towers, Abuja, observed that the initiative was long overdue for the country, even as he charged members of the taskforce to carry out the assignment with commitment, zeal and patriotism.
He said he was optimistic that the operation would stem the smuggling of petroleum products by some unscrupulous operators, stressing that the savings from the exercise would go a long way in supporting infrastructural development of the country.
He recalled that few weeks after the closure of the nation’s land borders, daily Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) consumption had dropped from 60 million litres per day to 52 million litres per day.
“I must say that I am very impressed with the calibre of the team members of ‘Operation White’ and am not surprised because every organisation that I know is as strong as its leadership. The NNPC under the leadership of Mele Kyari epitomises strong leadership. Am happy with the enthusiasm on the faces of the members and I am sure that we will succeed,” the minister enthused.
Speaking on the initiative, Mele Kyari, group managing director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), who was also represented by the Chief Financial Officer of the corporation, Umar Ajiya, said the NNPC would ensure that the initiative achieved its aims and objectives.
He said the initiative would be fully funded and NNPC will ensure that its success even though it is an interim measure that would last six months. “We would provide necessary resources to make sure all depots are covered and I believe that one day we would have a global central data monitoring room where we can see the activities of everybody.”
Bala Wunti, managing director of Petroleum and products Marketing Company in his opening remark said NNPC as national oil company has been given the singular responsibility to ensure energy security in the country. This means the company has to make energy available, accessible, affordable and it must be delivered in an acceptable way. He said until the industry is able to do these, it cannot be said to have lived up to its own responsibilities in respect of energy security.
