WRITTEN BY ABUCHI NWOZOR
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), has denied speculations that it plans to increase the prices of petroleum products this yuletide.

A recent release signed by the Group General Manager, Public Affairs of the NNPC in Abuja, Sir Ndu Ughamadu, says the ex-depot petrol price of one hundred and thirty-three naira per litre and the pump price of N143/N145 per litre, have not changed.
It assured that the corporation had enough stock of fuel to ensure seamless supply and distribution of products across the country. The NNPC enjoined motorists and other users of petroleum products to disregard trending rumors of an impending fuel price hike in some online news platforms.
It assured that it has the full commitment of all downstream stakeholders, including petroleum marketers and industrial unions, to cooperate in achieving zero fuel scarcity this season and beyond. The corporation urged motorists not to engage in panic buying or indulge in the dangerous practice of stocking petroleum products in jerry cans at home.
Everybody knows that petrol is a dangerous and highly flammable liquid. This no doubt, means there is always a risk of a fire and/or an explosion if there is a source of ignition nearby, for example, a naked flame or an electrical spark. In fact, many Christmas in the past have witnessed series of accidents and deaths occasioned by fire ignited by stored petroleum products in peoples homes.
Today, hawkers of adulterated petroleum products adorn the streets of urban centres and various villages in communities in the state. At times like this, people should be careful where they buy petroleum products in order not to purchase their death warrant.
Fortunately, Anambra State Government has intensified its rural electrification revolution along major highways and various communities. Thus, many communities are now enjoying electricity like never before without relying on power generator. Every effort should be made to increase public power supply to de-emphasize panic buying of petroleum products
Government should equally ban storing of petroleum products in people’s homes since the NNPC has assured the citizenry of supply of enough fuel across the country. It should also ban the carrying of large jerry cans on motorcycles as they can fall and ignite the spill.
Moreover, generating sets, needed when necessary, should be kept some metres away from residential houses. On the other hand, if it becomes necessary to buy and store petroleum products, the most appropriate thing to do is to store them in an isolated area, downhill or downwind from any other buildings. All liquid fuels should be handled in the same manner as the most volatile, which is either gasoline or liquefied petroleum gas.  
Above all, for those who can afford it, a fuel tank can be bought and buried in order to be safe from everything, including stray or aimed gunfire, brush fires, knockouts, ground-to-air gunfire’s and just about everything else. However, regardless of the location of the tank, a dry chemical fire extinguisher should be hung on the outside of the building or near the pump. This is very necessary as prevention is better than cure. Also, fire fighters should be battle ready to check and respond to any future fire mishap.
Nevertheless, any electrical fixtures should be explosion proof and wired in sealed conduit to prevent fuel vapours from coming into contact with electrical sparks. Smoking should also be prohibited in fuel pump areas while all spills in places where fuel is stored, should be cleaned. 
Be that as it may be, the Federal government should give more licences to industrialists, fuel marketers and stakeholders to establish mini refineries in the country. This will, no doubt, assuage the challenges faced by the NNPC during important festivities in the country and in addition, offer employment to many graduates roaming the streets looking for jobs.
With these measures, rumours of fuel hike, hoarding and panic buying, will be a thing of the past in Nigeria. Happy Christmas.

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