By Godswill Odiong

Member Companies of Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) has empathised with Nigerians on the current hardships faced in the unfortunate event of the importation of some quantities of off-spec Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

DAPPMAN’s Chairperson, Dame Winifred N. Akpani, stated this in a statement issued recently in Lagos.

She said: “we have worked assiduously with the regulatory authorities from the onset to curtail the further distribution of the off-spec fuel in all DAPPMAN Depots and retail outlets.

“DAPPMAN also seconded versatile professionals to the Technical and Commercial Committees setup by the regulators (NMDPRA) and stakeholders who have initiated best practices ‘Standard Operating Procedures’ to ensure not only that the off-spec products are quarantined professionally processed, tested and certified good for distribution to the market, but we are also working with NNPC Ltd through its subsidiary, the PPMC LTD, to ensure that adequate stocks of ‘on-spec’ petrol are made available to Nigerians in all nooks and crannies of the nation.

“DAPPMAN assures all our dear customers and the general public that all hands are on deck and DAPPMAN Depots and retail outlets have commenced, within the security and safety limits allowance, extended hours of loading from our various depots and in all our retail outlets until the situation normalises. We believe with the support and co-operation of all stakeholders, including PPMC Ltd and the regulator, NMDPRA the current challenges of petrol purchase from our various retail outlets will be over”. She said.

DAPPMAN urged customers not to engage in panic buying as it might take a few days for normalcy to return, as the act also increases the pressure on the supply chain.