Drivers and commuters in Borno State have called on the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to establish more retail stations in the state.
The call was made on Monday as NNPC Ltd concluded a one-day sensitization exercise in Maiduguri, the state capital.
The sensitization exercise, which was aimed at educating drivers and commuters on the importance of safe and efficient use of petroleum products, drew participants from across the state.
However, during the interactive session, drivers and commuters while commending the management of NNPC Ltd for organizing the programme requested for the establishment of more retail outlets in the state to ease access to cheaper and unadulterated petroleum products which NNPC retail has on offer.
The stakeholders equally contended that the provision of more NNPC retail outlets would halt the prevailing scenario where motorists and commuters travel long distance from the parks to the nearest fuel station in search of products.
In his own reaction, the park leader of Borno Express, Saminu Yakubu, who spoke on behalf of the drivers in the unit, said the scarcity of retail stations had led to an increase in the price of petroleum products in the state.
“We appreciate the efforts of NNPC Ltd in organizing this sensitization exercise, but we want to use this opportunity to appeal to the company to establish more retail stations in the state,” he stated.
Another Park leader, Muhammadu Dan Inna, who chairs Kano Line in the state, said: “We often have to travel long distances to buy fuel, which is not only stressful but also expensive.”
Having listened to the complaints of stakeholders at the programme, the NNPCL team assured that the company is committed to expanding its retail presence in Borno State in line with its global mandate of ensuring national energy security.
The team noted that NNPC Ltd had already identified some locations in the state where new retail stations would be established to increase access to petroleum products, adding that the company is committed to ensuring that Nigerians had access to safe and efficient petroleum products.
The sensitization exercise was part of the company’s efforts to educate Nigerians on the importance of safe and efficient use of petroleum products.
The exercise, which was attended by drivers, commuters, and other stakeholders in the community, featured presentations on the safe and efficient use of petroleum products, as well as the importance of adhering to safety protocols at retail stations. Some lucky stakeholders went home with gift items and freebies following raffle draws at various motor parks.
