The comptroller general of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Col. Hameed Ali (retd) has faulted claims by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) that Nigerians consume 60 million litres of petrol daily.
Ali expressed his view on the matter when he appeared before the House Committee on Finance for the hearing on the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (2023 – 2025).
He questioned why the company would put the daily consumption of petrol at 60 million litres but allows 98 million litres to be lifted daily from the depots
“I remember that last year, we spoke about this. Unfortunately, this year, we are talking about subsidy again.
“If we are consuming 60 million litres of PMS 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?
“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 today 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,” he said.
Ali also dismissed claims that smuggling of petrol contributes to the huge amounts being paid for subsidy.
“The issue is not about the smuggling of petroleum products. I have always argued this with the NNPC. The over N11 trillion we are going to take as debt, more than half of it is going for a subsidy.
“The issue of smuggling, if you release 98 million litres…and 60 million litres are 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?”
