Some Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) off-takers, popularly known as cooking gas marketers, have accused the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), of marginalisation in the distribution of the product in Lagos. Some of the LPG off-takers, who preferred anonymity, made the allegation in an interactive session with journalists in Lagos, on Monday.
They alleged that NLNG deliberately restricted the supply of cooking gas to Pipelines Products Marketing Company (PPMC) jetty in Lagos, including NIPCO in the last two years. According to them, NIPCO receives the bulk share and an average of 8,000mt for every delivery, while other terminals like NAVGAS were denied the product.
The off-takers said that NAVGAS, the operator of the terminal, had requested for supply on several occasions but got no reason from NLNG on why it could not deliver LPG to their terminal. The source, speaking on behalf of the marketers, alleged that NAVGAS terminal only received product thrice in the year, while the PPMC/NIPCO terminal had received over 12 deliveries. The source said; “They have also sent on behalf of other off-takers to receive via NAVGAS facility and still no reason given for not delivering. “Traditional delivery in the past has been supplying LPG to the two jetties of NAVGAS and PPMC. This is usually available for NLNG to deliver its product.
“Also, other terminals in the country are unable to receive from NLNG due to the low draft which cannot take NLNG vessel (Navigator Capricorn) if fully laden. “All terminals including NAVGAS and PPMC/NIPCO, import are to augment domestic supply in the event NLNG vessel is busy delivering to other terminals.”
The off-takers said that there was a table that illustrated the disproportionate delivery of NLNG volumes since the start of the current contract year and expected to end in September. The off-takers also alleged that NIPCO capacity was 9,800mt while NAVGAS and PPMC had 11,000mt and 4,000mt respectively. The source added that the NLNG performance could be increased significantly in spite of the reasons for not delivering regularly into the NAVGAS terminal and with 51 percent utilisation only.
NLNG, however, denied the allegation as the Head, Media Relations, Mrs. Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku, said the company had been supporting the domestic LPG (DLPG) market since 2007. Palmer-Ikuku said from the beginning, Nigeria LNG involvement in that market had promoted market competition while encouraging all terminals to provide Third Party Access (TPA) to all credible buyers.
According to her, the principle has guided NLNG’s engagement with terminal owners and buyers. She said; “Today, the significant majority of NLNG off-takers take their volumes through the PPMC jetties, which have provided TPA to all interested buyers and are preferred because they are cheaper.
“NLNG as a reasonable and prudent operator honours all its contracts and does not discriminate against any buyers. All Annual Contract Quantity (ACQ) commitments have been met for all buyers without exceptions.
