Honeywell Gets New 40 Fuel Retail Outlets
By Gloria Achoyamen
Honeywell and Gas (HOG) Limited has added another 40 retail outlets to its retail distribution network in Nigeria in pursuit of its drive for a leadership position in the downstream sector of the Nigerian oil and gas industry.
The addition of new outlets in Abia, Enugu, Imo, Anambra and Ebonyi states two months after the acquisition of 30 outlets in Cross River and Rivers state would enhance supply of quality petroleum products to consumers in the South Eastern states as a result of incessant shortages and neglect by marketing companies even after deregulation.
It would also gear up economic activities and decline in high transportation fares initiated by road transport operators due to hike in prices of petroleum products available mainly in the blackmarkets.
According to the Managing Director, Honeywell and Gas, Dr. Ben Attah, said at the signing ceremony of the additional 40 outlets in Aba, the feat was a milestone in the company's drive towards adding values and changing products supply equation in the downstream sector of the Nigerian oil and gas industry.
He said the new dealers would derive value and satisfaction from competitive prices, modern facilities, innovative commercial practices and efficient services of the company.
"Our mission is to deliver quality products to our dealers through unparallel support services by our skilled, committed and dedicated staff in fulfillment of our drive to be the preferred energy supplier", he said.
Attah said the company has raised the number of fuel trucks in Calabar and Apapa jetty to 100 and 200 respectively to enhance adequate and regular supply of petroleum products to all the retail outlets nationwide.
Other investments made by the company to strengthen its position includes dedicated jetty plus 12, 000 metric tone (MT) storage tank farm in Calabar, 26,000MT tank farm facilities at Apapa jetty two shuttle vessels to make weekly delivery of products.
He said the management are aware of some concerns raised by new dealers on diverse issues such as procurement of bank guarantees, products' supply and pricing, "we have put in place the right strategy to address all the challenges to fulfill the promise of making our dealers an important part of the wining team", he said.
However, he said conditions for signing on to the company's retail network distribution would become stringent with effect from September this year as a result of overwhelming response to its campaign across the country after the acquisition of 30 filling stations in the SouthSouth of Nigeria in June this year.
This, he said would enable the company to build on the standard achieved for the award of ISO 9001 certification by the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (ISO) early this year.
"All over the land, Honeywell brand have become the brand to beat due to the unique approach which positions our esteemed dealers as partners of choice", he said.
Mr. Akin Ayeni, business strategy advisor, said that importation of 30,000 metric tone (MT) of petroleum products would be required monthly to service the existing 100 retail outlets within the company's distribution network.
He said another 150 dealers have submitted letters to operate their outlets wearing the colour of the company to enjoy quick response mechanism for delivery of products at the retail outlets. "The branding of acquired outlets are slated for completion before the end of this month", he said.
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