Petrol imports hit 5.61 billion litres in Q2

The capacity for the importation of Motor energy known as petrol has lifted by 15.2 per cent in the country to 5.61 billion litres amidst concerns over sneaking in of product to some other African countries.

The Africa’s top oil producer, Nigeria, lean strongly on importation so as to satisfy the fuel needs as the nation’s refineries remains in relinquish state.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, in its petroleum products importation report released recently said, :5.61bn litres of PMS were imported, compared to 4.87 billion litres in the first quarter of the year. The country imported 1.38 billion litres of automotive gas oil (diesel), compared to 1.21 billion litres in Q1.

While the volume of kerosene imported into the country plunged to 12.22 million litres from 103.05 million litres in the first three months of the year.

A total of 131.36 million litres of aviation turbine kerosene (aviation fuel) was imported, similar to 176.14 million litres in Q1.

The country’s imports of Liquefied Petroleum Gas, also known as cooking gas, increased to 354.70 million litres from 310.84 million litres in Q1.Other products imported in the period under review were base oil (77.24 million litres), bitumen (41.79 million litres), and low pour fuel oil (27.68 million litres).

The NBS data, states that, :5.18 billion litres of PMS, 1.28 billion litres of AGO, 131.42 million litres of household kerosene, 176.14 million litres of ATK and 157.29 million of LPG were distributed nationwide in Q2.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Group Managing Director, Mr. Mele Kyari, recently complained on the state of the nation’s refineries in Lagos at an industry event saying, :Today, it is a shame that this country is a net importer of petroleum products, but we are going to change that.

“We require more investment to revamp and expand our domestic refineries and associated infrastructure to support the growth of the downstream sector and guaranty energy security to the nation. We are progressing with the establishment of condensate refineries to fast-track domestic supply of petroleum products,” he assured.