Following the recent approval of the petroleum importation allocation for the third quarter of year 2010 by the Minister of petroleum resources Mrs. Diezani Allison Maduekwe; a responsibility which naturally is betrothed to the Petroleum Product Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), there have been insinuations from concerned quarters that the minister may have taken over the duties of the agency and that of the Petroleum Product Marketing Company (PPMC).
However, there was a quick intervention and clarification from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) last week as the agency debunked all such insinuations and also stated categorically that they are mere blackmails. Both agencies are under the ministry of petroleum resources.
Speaking with Shipping Position Weekly correspondent last week, the Group General Manager and Group Public affairs of the Nigerian National Petroleum Cooperation, Mr. Levi Ajuonuma denied that “It is a total fallacy and there is no truth whatsoever in the allegations”
Similarly, in a press statement which was issued by the NNPC and made available to our correspondent, Ajuonuma said “any rumour to the effect that the minister interferes with the day-to-day running of either PPPRS or the PPMC is not only unfair but a blackmail which is not to be tolerated”.
He explained that the Minister is merely ensuring that there is unimpeded supply and distribution of products throughout the country, “this is one of her responsibility as the minister of petroleum resources and the Chairman of the board of the NNPC, and for this to be effectively realized, there is need for interaction with these agencies from time to time, this is to ensure that we do not relapse into the dark days of product scarcity”.
The decision to grant product importation permit to prospective companies was the sole prerogative of the PPPRA under its chairman, Dr Ahmadu Ali and it was gathered that it does not report directly to the minister of petroleum resources.
Ajuonuma explained that the allegations are coming phoney companies who do not have the briefcase or what it takes but who are clamoring to import petroleum product into the country.
He however warned that “we which to state it categorically that the minister will not allows any such companies which fails to meet up requisite requirements for participation in product importation” the NNPC spokesman stated succinctly.
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