The retail arm of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is among 79 companies implicated in the diversion of petroleum products, thus contributing to scarcity, long queues and price hike.

According to industry sources quoted by former Special Adviser on Communications to late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Olusegun Adeniyi, no fewer than 79 companies, including NNPC Retail, major marketers and IPMAN members, were involved in diverting PMS meant for Suleja Depot between January and June this year.

“If we compute the figures involved, we are talking about several billions of naira practically being extorted from the people outside the normal gains already made by these fat cats,” Adeniyi wrote yesterday in his column “The Verdict” in ThisDay newpapers.

He quoted available reports from Suleja Depot as revealing that within the first half of this year, NNPC Retail Limited diverted 92 trucks; Forte Oil, 39 trucks; ConOil PLC, 12 trucks; OANDO PLC, 3 trucks; Total PLC, 11 trucks; MRS Oil Nig Plc, 10 trucks; Mobil Nig Ltd, 5 trucks; NIPCO Nig Ltd, 8 trucks; A. A. Butu & Sons, 17 trucks; Jismah Invest, 7 trucks; Bisfarm, 7 trucks; Lofas Invest, 3 trucks; M. Tila, 4 trucks; Madagali Oil, 5 trucks; Favour Oil and Gas, 2 trucks; Rasgoke, 2 trucks; Tally Oil, 2 trucks Matrix Eng, 3 trucks; Yuhassib Nig, 2 trucks; Dajitim, 2 trucks; Sulaiya Oil, 7 trucks; A.U Mulagunwa, 2 trucks; Shadeen Nig, 2 trucks; Isigwe Uzoaga, 2 trucks; A.B.K Umar Oil, 2 trucks; Abdulkarim Arah, 6 trucks; ALCO, 2 trucks; LAWPAC, 2 trucks; S. Lamba, 4 trucks; Isa Gaya, 3 trucks; Gredab, 4 trucks; Kyabiz, 2 trucks; Mafolak, 8 trucks; Maraya Madugu, 6 trucks; Sri Lambo, 3 trucks; Paktan, 2 trucks; ASKA, 2 trucks and Jerry Paul, 2 trucks.

Adeniyi identified the other marketers that diverted one truck each to include Alafam Nig. Ltd, A.Y.M Shafa, Asta Nig Ltd, Funo Alfa, Pasali, S.B.B Nig Ltd, SOOIL Invest, Suabco Pet., Toni Oil, Asgit, Tantano, Rich Oil, Mefra Pet., Ibro Invest, Jacob Oyerinde, Mohibra Invest, Musakmat, Awelewa, A.A. Gajaga, Isigwe Uzoaga, Micas Energy Ltd, Tinox, Tomf Invest, Ahjab, Manzani. Mapeco, Danmagani Pet., Nzamamadsare, Maiketh, Dafan, Alh. Mohman, NafjaM, Jonalor, Nababa, Samar, Gloxen, Chiebo, Savanah, Ademag, Murray Concept, Faustina Invest, Amazing, Mild, Nababa Agwa, Hasaf, Baymon, Bon-dap, Aliyu Awoniyi, Onubogu, ABJ Sonito, Akulu, Gilbrater, Lovers, Dapsey, De-First, Omotadowa, Odenigbo, S. Lamba, Zacobass, Addidas, Al-hura, Advance Network. Auyakawa Pet., Mamu Oil, Hassfade Global, Progress Hammed Taiwo, Puhidat, Akbell Global and D.B.

•Photo shows NNPC headquarters.