The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has announced that its purchasing portal will be reopened once the current backlog of petrol orders is resolved.
Portal Closure and Backlog
The portal was closed due to a significant backlog, which marketers have attributed to round-tripping of product supplies and rising prices. Olufemi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd, stated, “We have a significant backlog to address. The closure is intended to prevent us from holding marketers’ funds for an extended period. It will be reopened once the backlog has been sufficiently reduced. We are working to address it as soon as possible.”
Industry Stakeholder Reactions
Industry stakeholders have stressed the need for enhanced collaboration, better infrastructure, and energy transition to tackle the current fuel shortage and ensure affordable services and products.
- Huub Stokman, Chairman of the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), emphasized the importance of unity among businesses, government agencies, and regulatory bodies. He also highlighted the need for improved infrastructure, such as roads and pipelines, to enhance product distribution across Nigeria.
- Gabriel Ogbechie, CEO of Rainoil Limited, and Dr. Billy Gillis-Harry, President of the Petroleum Retail Outlet of Nigeria, both advocated for increased investment in infrastructure and the benefits of deregulation.
- Anibor Kragha, Executive Secretary of the African Refiners and Distributors Association (ARDA), underscored the importance of energy security and value addition in the midstream and downstream sectors.