In a bid to effectively distribute petroleum products and finally putting an end to fuel scarcity in the country, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), has announced that it will commence the building of one mega filling station in each of the 109 senatorial districts across the country.
Speaking during the flag-off of consultation in Kaduna, the Group Executive Director, Commercial and Investment, Babatunde Adeniran, said the purpose of the visit was to solicit the support of the Kaduna State Government to provide lands for building new NNPC petrol stations in the state.
“Our mission is to build three mega stations, one each in the three senatorial districts of the state. We need about five thousand square meters for each of the station. Each station will have six pumps including that of Liquefied Petroleum Gas which is cooking gas,” Adeniran said.
Governor Nasir El-Rufai appeared pleased with the plan saying: “Any time NNPC comes visiting, it comes with good news”.
“I want to assure you that we will give you all the support that you need. The State Director of Lands will take the NNPC project team round the state to look at alternative sites. I don’t know how many you are building, we can give you as many as ten sites if you want”.
Also in Kano, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje described NNPC as an indispensable business partner.
“Indeed, collaborating with the NNPC is indispensable if we are to achieve socio-economic development of the State. Kano State being the largest in terms of population and also the commercial nerve centre of the North, there is no better organization to have an alliance with than the NNPC,” Gov. Ganduje said.
He said he has already directed the Commissioner of Lands to work with the NNPC project team in selecting sites for the stations in the state.
“We know the philosophy behind establishing such retail stations. Considering that you are the custodians of crude oil and petroleum products in the country, one may wonder why you are into retail business. But those of us in governance understand the situation because if you leave everything to the marketers, then the problem of control especially of the price and availability will become difficult”, Gov. Ganduje said.