Festive period: NNPC mandates PPMC to ensure uninterrupted fuel supply

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, yesterday, directed its downstream subsidiary, the Petroleum Products Marketing Company, PPMC, to ensure steady supply of petroleum products across the country during the festive periods and well into 2018.

The Group Managing Director, Mr. Maikanti Baru, while speaking during the inauguration of the Board of Directors of PPMC, assured the public that as the festive periods draw near, it would ensure a hitch-free supply of petroleum products nationwide during the season.

He said, “The festive season is fast approaching, a period when almost always, people expect queues to happen. If last year you had a queue-free festive season, we want this year’s to be a season where fuel station attendants will be inviting motorists to their stand for fueling.”

He called on the management of the PPMC to re-strategized to ensure leaner operating cost that would enable it continuously add value to the NNPC corporate entity, adding that the company was not expected to make losses.

Also speaking, Chief Operating Officer, Downstream of the NNPC and alternate Chairman of the PPMC Board, Mr. Ikem Obi, declared the downstream was the face of NNPC, assuring that the country would never return to the era of products scarcity.

On his own part, Managing Director of the PPMC, Mr. Umar Ajiya, commended Baru for his commitment and support especially in the resuscitation of depots in parts of the country, which he noted had contributed immensely to the steady supply of products nationwide.

He assured that the company would be placed on the part of profitability, adding that other petroleum products would equally be made available, alongside Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, also known as petrol.