NNPC explains why fuel queues have returned in Abuja

By Abubakar Yunusa

Lagos fuel crisis escalates to all parts of the state, scarcity caused by contaminated product.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd, NNPC, has revealed that the recent fuel queues in Abuja is likely caused by low loadouts at depots which usually happens during long public holidays.

The NNPC disclosed this in a statement  while reacting to re-appearing fuel queues in Abuja.

The Corporation added that it is working with its marketing partners to take necessary measures to ramp up loadouts from all depots.

Reacting to mild queues in the Federal Capital, they said, “The NNPC Ltd notes the sudden appearance of fuel queues in parts of Abuja. This is very likely due to low loadouts at depots which usually happen during long public holidays, in this case, the Sallah celebrations.

“Another contributing factor to the sudden appearances of queues is the increased fuel purchases which is also usual with returning residents of the FCT from the public holiday.”

NNPC disclosed that the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority in conjunction with its marketing partners have taken necessary measures to ramp up loadouts from all depots.

“We assure all residents of the FCT, and indeed all Nigerians, that we have ample local supplies and national stock in excess of 2.5 billion litres, with sufficiency of more than 43 days.

“The NNPC Ltd hereby advises motorists not to engage in panic buying as supplies are adequate as will become increasingly evident in the coming days,” it said.

Meanwhile, few months ago, major cities in the country were hit with long queues at filling stations caused by a scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol.

It was later revealed that the shortage of fuel supply was caused by the withdrawal of adulterated petrol by the sole importer of the product, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

Following the investigations, the NNPC explained how the adulterated petrol was imported into Nigeria from Belgium undetected as well as the oil companies that brought it in.

Nigerians spend N582 million at cinemas across the country in April

…as ‘King of Thieves’ saw the highest sale

The Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria (CEAN) has said that it raked in a total of N582 million from the sale of tickets across the country for the month of April 2022.

This was disclosed by Patrick Lee, National President, Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria to NAN.

According to Lee, the amount realized in April represents a 50% increase in sales from the N388 million recorded in the same period, last year.

Patrick said, “The total ticket sales for the month of April across cinemas in Nigeria is N582 million. Comparing the sales with April 2021, there is an increase of 50% as the sales for that was N388 million.

“22 Nollywood films shown in April accounted for 43 per cent of ticket sales, with King of Thieves as the outliner – 23 per cent – whereas 19 Hollywood films accounted for about 54% with two films grossing over N50 million – Morbius and Sonic Hedgehog2, the latter becoming the biggest animation of the year so far.”

Meanwhile, comparing the figure with that of march 2022, he said that ticket sales improved by about 68%, with April having the highest box office figure since January.

He also highlighted the grossing films for the month of April as: The King of thieves, Morbius, Sonic The Hedgehog 2, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore and the Blood Covenant.

He said, “King of Thieves opened with the highest ticket sales for a Nollywood film in 2022, so far, It also became the highest grossing indigenous-themed film and only the 10th Nollywood film to hit past the N200 million mark.”

He however revealed that the films scheduled for may are: Law of the Heart, Doctor Stranger in the Multi-Universe of Madness, Firestarter, The Perfect Arrangement, Ilu America, Top Gun:Maverick, Bob’s Burger and The Wildflower.