We Have Sufficient Stocks Of Petroleum Products

Petroleum marketers in Abuja said on Tuesday that they had sufficient products in stock for consumers in spite of the ongoing strike by oil workers’ unions in the country.

A cross section of the marketers said they had abundant stock and were expecting more from the Suleja Depot in Niger State.

Malam Ibrahim Isah, Station Manager, Conoil Filling Station on Herbert Macauley Way, Abuja, said that the station was dispensing petroleum products as usual.

Isah said his outlet had not stopped selling the products.

According to him, the station is expecting eight trucks loaded with the product from NNPC Depot at Suleja in Niger State.

“I think the issues have been somewhat resolved as I am expecting eight trucks loaded with the product from Suleja Depot.

“By the next four to five hours the situation will ease; motorists should be rest assured that the situation is under control,’’ he said.

He assured the public of sufficient petroleum products, particularly during the yuletide celebration.

He urged the people not to panic, as the strike was a warning action, adding that efforts were being made to address the situation.

Talip Kalid, a motorist said he appreciated the effort of the management of Conoil Filling Station opposite the NNPC Towers.

“The good thing is that no matter what, you will get fuel as they are the most orderly filling station within Abuja,’’ he said.

At the Total Filling station next to the Conoil, the Manager, Muhammad shaba, said said he was able to maintain the chaotic situation caused by the motorists with the help of his staff and some security agents.

He said the outlet was dispensing petrol non-stop, as usual, adding that the product was available with another two trucks loaded and waiting to be discharged.

Oando and NNPC Filling Stations at Zone 1, were not dispensing the product because it was exhausted on Monday.

He said the station expected to receive supply from the Suleja Depot.

The Advance Link Filling Station on Olusegun Obasanjo Way, Abuja, shut down its operation, having exhausted its stock earlier in the morning.

Some of the customers who brought their vehicles for repairs said expressed the hope that the station would take delivery of the product for sale later in the day.

Mrs. Husseina Bello, Assistant Manager in one of the gas companies, said there was fuel but the people would have to wait a bit longer to get it, unlike the normal time.

Bello called on the Federal Government to work out modalities to ensure that the situation was resolved before the festive period, to allow for a hitch-free celebration.

At the NNPC Mega Station, Central Area, Abuja, it was observed that although the the station manager was out of the premises, the fuel attendants were seen dispensing the products to motorists in a long queue.

Out of the 12 pumps at the station, nine were functional while the remaining three were said to have minor faults.

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) embarked on strike since Monday.

The three-day warning strike was to press the unions’ demands from government to carry out the Turn Around Maintenance of the refineries, among others.

The action is expected to be called off on Wednesday, according to a statement by the unions.