Lagos – The  Retail Products Section of  the NNPC  and  an indigenous company, Capital Oil and Gas, are to partner in the distribution of  kerosene nation-wide through mobile truck platform.

The  pilot scheme  of  the  initiative started on Saturday  in Lagos with 200 trucks.

Mr Ifeayin Ubah, the Chief Executive Officer of  Capital Oil, told  newsmen at  the official unveiling of the pilot scheme in Lagos that the  initiative was aimed  at ensuring the distribution of kerosene  across the country.

Ubah said  distributing the product with mobile trucks would  decongest the long queues  at NNPC mega stations across the country as purchase would be decentralised.

“The trucks will be stationed at some locations  in the city and rural areas  to sell to individuals who want to buy kerosene.

“ This is the best method to address panic buying of  kerosene usually experienced  in the country.

“The product will be handled  and sold  to Nigerians by sub-dealers who must have paid for the kerosene products through the banks to avoid sharp practices,’’ he said.

Ubah, who said that this method of  kerosene distribution would help address the problem of scarcity, added  that the pilot scheme would  be test run in Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt.

Also speaking, NNPC’s  spokesman, Dr Levi Ajuonuma,  said  about 25,000 metric tonnes of  kerosene had  been allocated to major  and  independent marketers  to ease scarcity.

He  said the country had  enough product  to last 51 days, adding that “ distribution  bottle neck has been our major challenge.’’

“ We have finally addressed that and  we believe all marketers will ensure circulation of the product across the country.

“We implore regulatory bodies and the media to assist in monitoring the distribution of the products at official pump price of  N50 per litre to prevent  it  being  diverted,’’ he said. (NAN)