NNPC Disowns ‘Leaking Retail Truck’

NNPC Retail Limited, the downstream subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, has commenced nationwide inspections of all its retail trucks.

In a statement signed by Ndu Ughamadu, the Group General Manager, Public Affairs Division of the Corporation, on Thursday, the Corporation said the move was necessary to ensure that only authentic NNPC Retail tested and certified trucks bear the company’s logo and brand emblem.

Ughamadu said the audit is to ensure that all delisted trucks follow the requirement to remove the company’s logo and other brand attributes.

He said the check would help inculcate lasting sanity in the petroleum products haulage space across the country.

The move follows social media speculations of a leaking retail truck allegedly owned by the Corporation.

In a recent video, which has gone viral, a tanker bearing NNPC logo was seen spilling petrol along a road suspected to be Lagos State.

The incident occurred few days after a tanker exploded in Lagos, killing 12 people and destroying more than 50 cars.

But in his reaction, Ughmmadu dismissed the video, stating that there was nothing concrete in the said clip to show that the truck in question belong to the NNPC Retail fleet.

“Unfortunately, our in-house investigation has been constrained by the lack of a plate number on the said truck and other identification marks we normally stencil on all authentic NNPC Retail trucks across the country,’’ he said.

“The release noted that in line with its operational ethos of “Safety First” all NNPC Retail trucks are road worthy and are subjected to the strictest oil and gas industry safety protocol and procedures.

“NNPC, however, enjoined members of the public to call any of the flowing numbers: 09091000086/09091000087 if they spot any unprofessional act by trucks bearing NNPC Retail logo, colours or name.

“The Corporation implored the public to quickly note the plate number of such errant vehicle or driver and report same to the company through the aforementioned phone numbers or report such acts to the nearest relevant law enforcement agency.

“NNPC also sent out heart felt condolence to the Government and people of Lagos State and the families of the victims of the unfortunate recent fuel tanker inferno on the Otedola Bridge resulting in the loss of lives and vehicles.”