NNPC Moves To Distribute Kerosene To End Users At N50Per litre

•‘Why Refineries Are Still Not Working’

THE launch of the ‘Kerosene Correct’ initiative by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is meant to crash the unofficial price of kerosene, its Group Managing Director, Dr Joseph Dawha, has said.

  Meanwhile, the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, has blamed the non-functionality of the existing refineries on long neglect and cumbersome conditions by contractors saddled with reviving the ailing plants. 

  The minister said: “The issue of non-functionality of the refineries did not just start today. In fact, when I came in as Minister four years ago, I met refineries that suffered long neglect for upward of about 20 years. We then decided to contact the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), but unfortunately they could not do the job due to security concerns and insurance, among other issues. 

  “We then decided to work with another firm that was suggested by the OEMs. Negotiations went well until government insisted on getting the best out of the deal. The negotiations then collapsed.”     

  Speaking at the launch of the initiative in Abuja yesterday, Dawha explained that working with non-governmental organisations, the NNPC would ensure the end-users are able to buy kerosene at all NNPC mega stations and its affiliates at N50 per litre. 

   “Today, in response to the clarion yearnings of deserving Nigerian consumers of kerosene, particularly our mothers, sisters, fathers and brothers who constitute the good people of Nigeria, and in line with the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan, we are launching the Federal Government’s “Kero Correct’ scheme. 

  “The Kero-Correct is aimed at making kerosene available, accessible and affordable in all NNPC mega and affiliate stations across the country. We are committed to ensuring the elimination of the kerosene ‘black market’ so that Nigerian consumers can buy kerosene at the correct price of N50 per litre. 

  “We know that this will be challenging, but with the unwavering support and assurance of government through the leadership of the Minister of Petroleum resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, we are confident that the objectives of this laudable scheme will be achieved,” he explained.

  The NNPC chief stressed that the Corporation is working with credible non-governmental organisations to embark on an aggressive sensitisation and monitoring of the scheme to ensure seamless and transparent distribution and sales of kerosene at the correct price at all its stations. 

   To this end, he hinted that the NNPC is working with Coalition of Grassroots NGOs (CGN), the umbrella body of NGOs that will be saddled with the responsibility of ensuring compliance and transparency in the distribution and sales of the product.

   He noted that though government has intervened directly in the prices of both kerosene and petrol, the NNPC is working assiduously on other programmes and schemes to make life better for Nigerians. 

   He added: “Well, we take everything at a time. The price of petrol has been reduced and now we have kerosene available to the end users at the correct price, correct quality and correct quantity, we cannot do everything at the same. 

 The government will make pronouncement on anything we think appropriate at every point in time. 

  “We assure Nigerians that kerosene sold in our mega stations and affiliate stations will be sold at N50 per litre, which is the correct price. That is our message to the Nigerian public at this time.”