NNPC, NIPCO fuel distribution deal hits 1.8 billion litres mark

The storage arrangement otherwise known as through put operated by the Nigerian Independent Petroleum Company (NIPCO) for the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has reached a record mark of 1.8 billion litres in the last nine years.

The thru put programme, which allowed the NNPC to use NIPCO’s storage facility for storage and distribution of petrol and kerosene commenced in 2007 and has significantly aided smooth distribution of petroleum products in the country.

The Group Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer, NNPC (Downstream), Henry Ikem Obih, who was on a visit to the company’s premises in Apapa said NIPCO remained a strategic partner with the corporation in the downstream sector, even as the partnership targets two billion litres mark soon.

Obih said NIPCO can actually reach two billion litres distribution figure for the corporation very soon in view of its enhanced storage capacity and effective loading system among its peers stressing that, ‘with what I have seen, your operations is excellent coupled with good housekeeping and safety’

He said the contributions of the company especially during the last fuel crisis was splendid as it exhibited high sense of commitment to government’s desire to end the fuel queues by being the first operator to bring in cargoes to augment NNPC’s stock .

According to him, NIPCO was able to perform this feat even in the face of shortage of forex to import petroleum products, adding that this singular act was well noted and would continue to attract commendations from the corporation.

The GED who commended the level of automation of the terminal said its impact is well noted, the smooth loading and receipt of petroleum products as highlighted in the organization master control room during the visit.

The Group General Manager, Marine, NNPC, Makama Dalhatu, who was part of the entourage , said the aim of the parley was to express deep appreciation to NIPCO and assert the corporation pleasure with her operations.

The Managing Director, NIPCO, Venkataraman Venkatapathy, said the company has a good working relationship with the corporation and that the esteemed visit of the firm was an affirmation of the existing mutual relationship.

He commended the diligent leadership of the management team of the NNPC which has manifested in several facets of the nation’s oil and gas resources in recent times.

Venkatapathy stated that under thru-put arrangement with the NNPC in which NIPCO stores and distributes white products to independent and major oil marketers who have bulk purchase agreement with the Pipeline and Products Marketing Company (PPMC).

The NIPCO boss pointed out that the company looks forward to the two billion litres target mark soonest as its own contribution to assisting government to store and distribute petroleum products across the nooks and crannies of the nation.
According to him, NIPCO has the wherewithal to fuel the nation either on a thru-put basis with PPMC or directly to her esteemed customers under a 24 hours basis for six days in a week.