PPMC to investigate berth constraints of LPG vessels

The Pipelines and Product Marketing Company Limited, PPMC a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC said it will commence investigation into berth constraints of Liquefied Petroleum Gas, LPG vessels in Lagos jetties.

PPMC’s Managing Director, Alhaji Ahmed Farouk who stated this on Wednesday during the official commissioning of Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers, NALPGAM building and Resource Centre in Lagos also stated that the issue of PPMC officials involved in diverting LPG vessels to private jetties will be looked into.

Responding to questions from journalist, PPMC’s Executive Director, Supply and Distribution, Mr. Justine Ezeala, representing Alhaji Farouk, said the issue of PPMC official colluding to divert LPG vessels to private jetties is new to noting that steps will be taken to address the situation.

“I am hearing this for the first time, I have been Executive Director for nine months and I am hearing this for the first time but I am not holding brief for anyone but if this is substantiated we will take steps

“If you have any evidence please bring it to my notice, no one in their right minds will take that step to frustrate efforts of bringing LPG closer to the people but I will look into it, thanks for bringing it up,” Farouk said.

Commenting on other berth constraints factors of LPG vessels, Alhaji Farouk said the aging government jetties of over 40 years which receives different petroleum products vessels including LPG is a huge factor noting that efforts are ongoing to improve their efficiencies by working with relevant stakeholder.

“The jetties are over 40 years old when they were built, obviously it wasn’t what was expected but right now what we are basically trying to do is to improve the efficiencies.

“We are trying to work with our partners to ensure that we can sequence vessels to berth better; use the facility that we currently have and I think if we use it efficiently we will still be able to make progress until we are able to build additional jetties but right now, those jetties are 40 years old and so there will definitely be some constraint,” he said.