*The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority assures the general public that the regulatory agency is committed to providing credible, transparent data on the supply and distribution of petroleum products to consumers

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Against the backdrop of recent arguments over the actual petrol consumption between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) Friday, September 9, put daily Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) consumption in the country at 66.89 million litres.

ConsumerConnect had reported the NNPC Limited, recently estimated the average daily evacuation (Depot truck out) from January to August 2022 at 67 million litres.

Malam Mele Kyari, Group Managing Director/CEO, of NNPC Limited 

The NMDPRA, also known as ‘The Authority’, in a statement titled: “Clarification on 2022 Average Daily Truck Out  Figure”, and issued Friday, disclosed that the actual daily truck out from January 1, 2022, to July 31, 2022, stood at 66.89 million litres.

The clarification by the country’s oil and gas industry regulator was sequel to earlier claims by Col. Hameed Ali (Retd.), Controller-General of NIS, about the fuel consumption figures in Nigeria.

Specifically, Ali had queried why the NNPC Limited would allow the release of 98 million litres of petrol per day for local consumption, instead of 60 million litres admitted by its own computation.

At a recent meeting with the National Assembly (NASS) members, Ali recalled: “I remember that last year, we spoke about this, but unfortunately, this year, we are talking about subsidy again.

“The issue is not about the smuggling of petroleum products.”

The NCS Chief also said: “I have always argued this with NNPC.

“If we are consuming 60 million litres per day by their own computation, why would you allow the release of 98 million litres per day?

“If you know this is our consumption, why would you allow that release?”

He stated: “Scientifically, you cannot tell me that if I fill my tank today, tomorrow, I will fill the same tank with the same quantity of fuel.

“If I am operating a fuel station and I go to Minna depot, lift petrol and take it to Kaduna, I may get to Kaduna in the evening and offload that fuel.

“There is no way I would have sold off that petrol immediately to warrant another load.”

The Comptroller-General further argued: “So, how did you get to 60 million litres per day? That is my problem.

“The issue of smuggling, if you release 98 million litres in actual, and 60 million litres is used, the balance should be 38 million litres.

“How many trucks will carry 38 million litres every day? Which road are they following and where are they carrying this thing to.”

However, in response to Ali’s claims, the Authority said, “The Federal Government Medium Term Expenditure and Revenue Framework (MTERF), which is a three year forward looking budgetary tool comprises contributions from various agencies.

“For clarity, the figure provided was used in 2021 solely to forecast the expected revenue for 2022, and does not in any way translate to the actual truck out volume for this year.

“In line with the NMDPRA mandate as provided in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to ensure transparency in the oil and gas industry, the Authority publishes on its website (www.nmdpra.gov.ng/daily-truckout) the actual daily truck out.”

The regulatory agency as well clarified: “As can be verified from the website, the actual daily truck out from 1st January, 2022, to 31st July, 2022, stand at 66.89 million litres.

“The Authority assures the general public that it is committed to providing credible and transparent data on the supply and distribution of petroleum products.”