Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has denied reports of resuming the supply of kerosene product to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) depots in Calabar after 25 years.
Operations Controller of DPR in Cross River, Mr Philip Awolu, who spoke on Friday in Calabar, said the publication by some media houses were not accurate.
Mr Awolu said that the management of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) had paid him a courtesy visit to complain of lack of supply of kerosene to Calabar.
He said that during the visit, IPMAN was advised to write to NNPC for kerosene supply to the depot.
“IPMAN complained that there was no supply of DPK to Calabar and we advised them to make a request to NNPC; if possible, that they can purchase and transport the product to Calabar.
“DPR does not supply petroleum product. Rather, DPR monitors the supply and distribution of petroleum product across the country in accordance with the law.
“Basically, it is NNPC that imports kerosene for the country; they are in charge of that. I want to advise members of the press to always cross check their facts before publishing,” he said.
Also speaking, the Chairman of IPMAN in the state, Mr Robert Obi, said their visit was to appeal to DPR to help in facilitating the supply of kerosene to the state.
“DPR does not supply kerosene product, we were only appealing to them to help us and facilitate the process.
“The Operations Controller of DPR told us explicitly that the supply of kerosene is the responsibility of NNPC. From the report available to us, he was quoted out of context,” he said.
