ENSURING THE AFFORDABILITY OF KEROSENE AND GAS PRODUCTS

BY
OBASI E. IKENGWU

One bold step taken by the present administration at the Federal level which is highly applauded and endearing to the people of this nation is the availability and stability in the government approved pump price of fuel at N65 per litre. For once, the citizens, particularly the vast majority of fuel users would have a sigh of relief over the hitherto hiccups and hardships accompanied with non availability and high pump price of fuel, which unpleasant situation is largely believed to be man made. Today the difference is clear in the case of fuel (PPM) but hard biting and unbearable with regards to kerosene and gas. The case of kerosene is quite disturbing because it is one product used by virtually every household both high and low. Any stability and sanity in this regard will go a long way to reduce the pressure on gas and sundry products.
Again, such giant stride will score high points for the present administration that is poised to make the impossibility in the strategic facts of our economy. Among the methodologies adopted by the Federal Government to liberalize the supply and cost of petroleum products is the reactivation of our refineries to produce at full capacity and plans to establish new refineries. Another measure is the removal of the bottleneck and encumbrances in the distribution and sale of petroleum products. This informed the establishment of NNPC mega stations in the length and breadth of the country. However, in the wake of the pressure on these NNPC mega stations, the relevant authorities decentralized the services of the mega stations by using some private filling stations as sub NNPC mega stations. The idea and the intention behind it is laudable but the human factor is trying to thwart the good intentions. Most of the operations of the accredited NNPC mega stations now see it as an opportunity for self enrichment and favouitism on the part of black marketers who patronize them with intimidating number of cans. They are not as strict and honest as the genuine operators of the mega stations.
Against this backdrop and abuse of privilege, there is need to go back to the status quo. That is allowing only the mega stations to handle this clarion call. If is inevitable to engage the private NNPC sub-stations, there must be steady monitoring and supervision to ensure strict compliance. Things must be done the right way in our country the pervading short cuts and sharp practices have not helped matters. We must change for the better. Let order and discipline be the watch words of the operatives of the mega stations. With proper allocation of days of supply of petroleum products to different critical groups, and with efficient services and regular supply of petroleum products to the NNPC mega stations, the story will change for good there should be a stop to the present sale kerosene by most filling station at N100 and above, far beyond the official price of N50 per line.

Source: recorded live from FRCN daily commentary