By Eyo Nsima
The Chief Executive Officer of MerciPort Group, Mrs. Rita Adachukwu James, has expressed commitment to delivering Liquefied Petroleum Gas, LPG to local communities in Nigeria.

This is based on the company’s determination to provide cleaner and affordable energy, thus eliminating ailments associated with dirty domestic fuels.

Speaking at the recent opening of the company’s LPG plant in Ekiti State, She said: “MerciPort is championing the transition to cleaner sources of energy such as LPG. We have seen growth in the number of people who use LPG compared to when we first started.

“The use of LPG as compared to other sources of energy with higher carbon content cannot be overemphasized. If someone in the rural or low-income areas has a sickness associated with some of this pollution; the cost of taking of their health and finding a cure brings a lot of burden to them.

“So one of the things we can do is to take the LPG plants closer to them, making it more affordable for them and making it available. Like I always say, if it’s not affordable, it’s not available.”

In a report obtained from its website, the company, stated: “Merciport is one of Nigeria’s fast thriving and productivity-oriented company, focused on the downstream sector of the Nigeria oil and gas industry.

“With a well-structured supply system that takes pride in a proven track record of excellent delivery, the company, which started operations in 2007, has become one of the leading suppliers of various petroleum products, including: the Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) and the inclusion of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in Nigeria.

“Merciport was founded on the dream and quest to provide products and services that proffer simple solutions infused with global standards in the Nigerian Oil and Gas industry with a focus on easing and enhancing the quality of the lives and businesses of its partners and customers.

“At the core of Merciport’s business model is integrity, value creation, commitment, timeous and excellent customer service delivery.

“Since Merciport began operations in 2007, our relentless pursuit for efficiency has skyrocketed the growth of the company’s clientele base from a 100 customer in 2007 to a base of over 3000 active customers in 2012. In December of 2018, the company experienced an exponential growth in its clientele base, in which it exceeded its 2012 customer volume in that single month. Presently, Merciport can boast of a base of over 10,000 customers with sales volume of over 200 million litres a year, a geometric progression from the sales volume of 2 million litres recorded in 2007.

“Merciport has consistently pushed its boundaries of reach, in terms of expanding its customer base, product offerings and business. At inception, the company only traded in the sales of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Dual-Purpose Kerosene (DPK), however, and in line with our growth plans, the company included Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) to its trade in the first quarter of 2019. This decision was made as a result of the company’s drive to provide cleaner fuel for a better environment. This led to the acquisition of one LPG plant in the North Central region of Nigeria and the construction of two other LPG plants in the South West region of Nigeria.

“Merciport’s diversification into the trade in Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is in line with the company’s long-term growth plans with the inclusion of all our stakeholders at heart. In order words, at the centre of our company growth policies is a well-designed ‘Leave No One Behind’ structure and strategy, that carries along the interest of our clients, investors, contributions to the economic development of Nigeria, and a clean and sustainable environment.”

It added: “Upon our emergence into the Nigeria Oil and Gas downstream market which is highly competitive, we have successfully built and sustained a resilient portfolio founded on integrity, thereby catapulting us to a prestigious spot among the top league companies in the Nigeria oil and gas industry.”