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Tag: Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN)

  • IPMAN warns against petrol scarcity as depots sell N135/litre

    The Vice President, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) , Alhaji Abubakar Maigandi, yesterday alleged that private depots have increased fuel pump price from N133.28 per liter to N135 per liter.

    He urged the Federal Government, especially the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to arrest the situation.

    He said: “All the private depots in the country are selling petrol to our marketers for N135 per liter whereas the PPPRA authorises them to sell it for N133.28 per liter. If the regulating agency does not intervene on time it may lead to fuel scarcity.”

    The Executive Secreatry, Depot and Petroleum Products Marketing Association (DAPPMA), Mr. Olufemi Adewole, denied the allegation.

    The DPR Head Public Affairs Unit, Mr. Saidu Mohammed, said he was driving when our reporter called him. He did not keep his promise to get back.

  • Controversy trails reduction of pump price, stakeholders flay move

    The call by the Elder Chinedu Okoronkwo-led factional body of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) for its members to reduce the pump price of petroleum from N145-140 has generated heated debates amongst the stakeholders with many describing the proposal as counterproductive.

    Speaking with our correspondent at the weekend, Prince Adekunle Okunade, Southwest Zonal Chairman of the Private Depot of Oil and Gas Marketers Association of Nigeria (PDOGMAN) and other stakeholders said the directive was not in the overall interest of stakeholders in the oil and gas sector, especially those at the upstream sector.

    It may be recalled that Mr. Okworonkwo had prompted its members to slash N5 from the N145 official petroleum pump price in a bid to motivate Nigerians to return to their respective destinations to vote on February 23 and March 9 respectively.

    The IPMAN president urged his members nationwide to immediately implement the directives maintaining that the IPMAN’s decision to reduce the petroleum pump price followed President Muhammadu Buhari’s concern over the election postponement.

    However, Okuande, PDOGMAN considers the proposal as self-serving and has urged its members not to take it seriously.

    Raising some posers, Okunade asked, “Where would they get product?” adding, “Our members should not panic because this is not feasible. As a private depot there is no need for speculation.”

    Pressed further, he said, “What we are concerned about is how the government will increase our own margin because the margin of profit we make from the distribution and supply of products currently is not even encouraging is already a disincentive to business so going forward with such a proposal to further reduce pump price may be suicidal for business. Anybody that buys products from any private depot can never sell at N140 basically because there are lots of expenses and running cost such as AGO to power our tankers and generators at a lot of cost to the depot. There is no private depot that buys from marketers that can sell at N140 per litre it’s not just possible.”

  • We won’t reduce petrol price – Bauchi IPMAN

    The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) Bauchi branch has said it will not reduce the pump price for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from N145 to N140 per litre until it receives an order from the national body.

    The State Chairman of the Association, Alhaji Rabiu Ahmed Baba spoke on Tuesday while fielding questions from newsmen in Bauchi.

    He stated the branch may not comply as no official discussion has been held between the state branch and the national body.

    “Even if the branch receives such directive from our national body on the matter, the state branch will still have to convene an emergency meeting on whether to comply with the directive or not.

    Read Also: Bauchi projects N15bn IGR

    “Already, independent petroleum marketers in the state have been selling petrol at N143 naira per litre as against the official pump price of N145 naira per litre,” he said.

    The National President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Elder Chinedu Okworonko had earlier directed members of IPMAN nationwide to reduce petroleum pump price from N145 naira to N140 naira per litre following Saturday’s postponement of the Presidential and National Assembly elections to alleviate the plight of Nigerians who have traveled to their polling units to cast their votes before it was rescheduled.

  • Why we cut petrol price to N140 per litre, by IPMAN

    Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) National Chairman Chief Chinedu Okoronkwo has clarified that the association decided to reduce the pump price of petrol from N145 to N140 per litre as part of its contribution to ameliorate the suffering of Nigerians travelling to vote during elections.

    Okoronkwo told The Nation on phone that the N140 per litre directive would be carried out by IPMAN members nationwide.

    He said the reduction was a sacrifice that would be made by IPMAN members since no amount of sacrifice is much for national peace.

    Okoronkwo said: “Everybody must be involved in nation-building. This reduction of fuel price is our own contribution to nation-building, entrench peace and ameliorate the suffering of Nigerians. This is a sacrifice IPMAN members will make for the nation and Nigerians. No amount of sacrifice is too much for peace. The fuel price reduction will help reduce the expenses of Nigerians during this period of elections.

    “The reduction will last till March 12 to help reduce transport fares for Nigerians as they travel to vote for their candidates for the presidential, National Assembly, governorship and Houses of Assembly elections. After that date, we will review the price.”

    On how the association would monitor its members to ensure compliance, Okoronkwo said: “We have a mechanism of reaching every member and ensuring that all comply.”

    Okoronkwo had on February 17, through the Northwest Zonal Chairman of IPMAN, Alhaji Bashir Salisu Tahir in Kano, directed IPMAN members to reduce pump price of petrol from N145 to N140 as part of the association’s contribution towards encouraging voters to participate in the election processes.

    However, another IPMAN factional leader, Mr. Sanusi Fari, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), countered the directive and told IPMAN members to disregard Okoronkwo’s directive on price reduction.

    Fari called on members to disregard the national president’s directive on plans to reduce the petrol pump price from N145 to N140.

    He urged members to continue to render their services to the public in view of the one-week postponement of the elections. He urged members not to sell petrol above the Federal Government’s approved pump price of N145.

    The Deputy National President, IPMAN Western Zone, Alhaji  Debo Ahmed, said  Okoronkwo had no right to direct any member to sell at N140.

    Ahmed added that Okoronkwo did not have filling stations and he was not the association’s president.

    He wondered how marketers would reduce price when government as the sole importer and supply of the product had not reduced price.

    “Where will Okoronkwo get the product that would be sold at N140 from? The price of transportation to take product to station has increased due to increase in diesel price. It’s not possible to reduce price to N140 per litre. We don’t know where he got his information from, since he is not the president. He is on his own. The Southwest will not align with his directive; he should not politicise people’s business for his personal interest,” Ahmed said.

  • Presidential election: IPMAN endorses Buhari

    The Independent Petroleum Marketers  Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) on Friday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, gave its full backing to the re-election bid of President Muhammadu Buhari in the forthcoming presidential election.

    IPMAN’s National President, Elder Chinedu Okoronkwo, conveyed the association’s endorsement when he led a delegation of IPMAN on a courtesy call on the president.

    Okoronkwo said that IPMAN controlled 80 per cent of investments in the downstream sector of the oil industry with over 50 thousand members scattered throughout Nigeria having more than 2 trillion investments in the oil industry.

    He said that IPMAN was appreciative of Buhari’s immense support to the oil industry which had made it possible that in the last three years, Nigeria had not witness the incessant fuel scarcity which had dogged previous administrations.

    “This is indeed an indication of your managerial capability, sagacity and experience; by virtue of this, I want to assure you our dear President that all members of our great association are solidly behind you – one hundred percent and are unshaken in our resolve to ensure your re-election.

    “In the same vein, we are committed to ensuring that this good work continues as we pledge our own contributions to ensure the continuous free flow and distribution of petroleum products across the country without any hitches.

    “It is on record that before your emergence, petroleum products distribution was a big racket riddled with highwire scam and decadent corruption.

    “The perennial fuel scarcity was the noticeable symptom of this malaise. But when you came on board that evil network of graft in the sector was dismantled and the nation is better for it as there is unhindered products availability all-year -round.

    “This new working environment is inspiring more investment by IPMAN members and we are further emboldened to establish a refinery in the near future with your support.

    “We shall soon furnish your office with detailed presentation of our plans and timelines for the actualisation of this project,’’ he said.

    In his response, Buhari thanked IPMAN for the significant support and contributions in ensuring Nigerians had adequate supply of petroleum products throughout 2018.

    The president said he was particularly happy to note that IPMAN used its large network of petrol retail stations across  country to distribute petroleum products sustainably.

    “ I am told that your members, in many instances, went beyond the call of duty to support the NNPC and other government agencies in ensuring products are adequately available for our citizens especially during the festive seasons.

    “I am also very pleased to hear that your members are planning to invest in refinery and petrochemical facilities.

    “This clearly shows that IPMAN, like the APC, also has plans to move to the NEXT LEVEL.

    “ I want to assure you that this administration will fully support this investment which aligns with Nigeria’s Energy Security Agenda.

    “ As I commend you on the successes you have recorded so far, I also want to ask that you continue to support the government in ensuring petroleum products meant for Nigeria are not illegally taken out of Nigeria.

    “We all know this illegal smuggling of products out of Nigeria is a threat to our national economy and security and must be stopped. I, therefore, want to urge all IPMAN members to remain committed to complying with the laws and regulations that govern the Nigerian oil and gas sector,’’ he said.

    The president also urged the IPMAN leadership to fully collaborate with the Federal Government by exposing those members who participated in illegal activities.

    He commended the association for the support and confidence it had shown to his administration and pledged to continue doing his best to move Nigeria forward.(NAN)

  • Marketers, DMO meet over N800b debt, ultimatum

    …as IPMAN kicks against shutdown move

     

    The Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association (DAPPMA) and the Independent Petroleum Products Importers (IPPIs), Thursday met with the Debt Management Office (DMO) over the N800billion outstanding fuel subsidy debt and the seven day ultimatum to shutdown depots.

    The Nation learnt from a reliable source that the meeting was to avert the threat of the marketers to plunged the country an energy crisis.

    Meanwhile, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) Thursday kicked against any attempt by some groups of oil importers to disrupt the relative peace in the downstream oil sector of the country over the subsidy debts.

    In a statement by the IPMAN National Secretary, Alhaji Danladi Pasali said the seven-day ultimatum issued by the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association (DAPPMA) and the Independent Petroleum Products Importers (IPPIs), is nothing but intimidation and an attempt to frustrate the effort by government to ensure Nigerians have a hitch-free yuletide celebration.

    The IPMAN scribe said it’s unfortunate that some groups are more concerns of their personal interest above national interest. According to him, it is good for the marketers to ask for their rights but taking such decision to shut down the petroleum sector at this period of festivity is an act of sabotage.

    He said already the Debt Management Office (DMO) has been addressing their concerns when they issued promissory notes to settle the oil marketers’ debts based on approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

    He said the DMO in a statement recently said FEC approved the establishment of the Promissory Note Programme and Bond Issuance to settle inherited local debts and contractual obligations due to various categories of creditors, including Oil Marketers in July 2017.

    Pasali appeal to the marketers to change their tactics by seeking for other alternatives means to push for their demands, rather than blackmail and sabotage.

    He said IPMAN members are aware of the government’s efforts to settle the remaining debts of the subsidy and are determine to assist the government to ensure hitch-free holidays.

    Pasali said IPMAN, as the oldest association of petroleum marketers and regarded as closest to the end users of petroleum products will continue provide services to the public throughout the holidays.

    He urged Nigerians not to be panic by the threat of the MOMAN and their allies, saying that at the moment NNPC controls majority of the fuel available in the country and is nearly the sole importer of the products.

  • We will not join planned petroleum strike – IPMAN

    The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has said that it is not party to the planned strike by other oil marketers.

    The marketers, including Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association (DAPPMA) and the Independent Petroleum Products Importers (IPPIS) had given the Federal Government a 7-day ultimatum, threatening to shut down depots across the country.

    The marketers claimed that the Federal Government is owing them a total of N800 billion Petroleum Equalization Fund (PEF).

    However, the IPMAN, through its Kano State chairman, Bashir Ahmad Dan-Mallam,on Monday, said it would not join any strike action that is capable of inflicting hardship on Nigerians.

    According to Dan-Mallam, the Federal Government is also owing IPMAN about N150 billion PEF, but the association was not threatening any action against  the government.

    He maintained that the aggrieved oil marketers should rather engage the Federal Government in dialogue in order to resolve their differences amicably, noting that, the debt was inherited from previous administrations.

    He boasted that even if the oil marketers insist on the strike, the public should not panic as all the deports across the country are filled with the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petroleum.

    “All the deports in Kano, Minna, Warri and other places across the country are filled with petroleum that is enough for the consumption of the people throughout this festive period and even beyond.

    “So, let me use this opportunity to call on the general public that they should not panic about petroleum scarcity as we, the IPMAN, will not join the strike.

    “We are not pray to any action capable of inflicting hardship on the public. We have enough petroleum in our deports. So there is no course for alarm,” he said

    Dan-Mallam also called on the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to stop supplying petroleum to those associations that threatened to embark on strike.

    He also stated that, IPMAN  challenges all private deport owners to show when they ate supplying PMS to the association, stressing that, the era of the traditional end-of-year petroleum scarcity is over in Nigeria.

    He however called on the Federal Government to endeavour to settle the debt for the interest of the masses who bear the brunt whenever there is industrial action in the country.

     

     

  • DPR warns against price hike during festive period

    The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) in Cross River State has warned marketers against  hiking the pump price of petroleum products during the festive season.

    DPR Operations Controller in the state, Mr Bassey Nkanga, who spoke during the fourth quarter meeting with Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) in Calabar, disclosed that the Federal Government has ensured that the depots have adequate product for consumers during and beyond the approaching yuletide period.

    He said this was to prevent scarcity of the product and panic buying by Nigerians during the period.

    “As we all know, we are approaching the festive period and DPR in the state have noticed some sharp practices by some marketers.

    “We have intensified surveillance activities across the state with a view to make sure that marketers operate according to the stipulated guidelines.

    Read Also: DPR shuts two illegal gas stations in Akwa Ibom

    “Government has done so much within this period to ensure the free flow of petroleum product and the depots have been adequately stocked to avoid scarcity and panic buying.

    “I wish to appeal to marketers across the state not to take advantage of the festive period to cheat Nigerians in anyway.

    “Anyone caught going against the rules of operation and the government stipulated guidelines will face the consequences,” he said.

    He urged marketers who have not renewed their operating licenses to do so, adding that anyone caught operating without a valid license will be sanctioned.

    The Operations Controller warned marketers in Northern District of the state to desist from selling a litre of petrol above N145, saying that any further act may lead to a revoke of operating license.

    He also warned marketers against under-dispensing, selling adulterated products and violating the DPR seal whenever they were sealed for violating the operational guidelines.

    IPMAN Chairman in the state, Mr Lawrence Agim, commended the Federal Government for the adequate supply of petroleum product to depots.

    Agim said that IPMAN in the state was fully ready to work with DPR in fighting all forms of illegality in the petroleum sector.

    “We are ready to partner with DPR in ensuring that we dispense the product available to us at the approved government price,” he said.

  • Buhari has checkmated corruption in petroleum sector – IPMAN 

    The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), at the weekend said that President Muhammadu Buhari has checkmated the corruption in the petroleum sector.

    Its National Secretary, Alhaji Danladi Pasali, who is also the National Coordinator, Buhari Campaign Organization, spoke while receiving members of the National Youth Council in his Abuja office. 

    He called for the re-election of Mr. President, stressing that under the president’s watch, the country has stopped the spending of 60 per cent of its budget on corruption ridden fuel subsidy otherwise known as Petroleum Support Fund (PSF).

    He noted that with the intervention of the present administration, there is glut of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) market, which the retail outlets now beg motorists to buy.

    His words: “It is clear now that petrol stations beg people to come in and buy products. Go round now, all the petrol rations have products and they are calling people to come and buy. It is better because there are no more queues. There is no more spending 60% of our budget to pay subsidy. We don’t experience this. So, the corruption aspect in the system has been checkmated.”

    Explaining how Buhari has curb corruption in the petroleum sector, Pasali recalled in the past administration, an intending investor came from the US to invest $3billion in IPMAN refinery in Kogi, but the business mogul had a mechanical turn of mind when the then Presidency demanded a bribe to finance its campaign. 

    According to him, “There was a time some investors came from the US, when we went with the Governor of Kogi, they were ready to invest $3billion. 

    “When we took them to the presidency they were asked to bring some money for campaign, and since they took portfolio away they said they would never come back to Africa.”

    But the IPMAN national scribe noted that President Buhari has brought sanity into the country’s oil and gas sector that was characterized by sharp practices.

    He said “there was high level of insincerity, lack of focus,  sheer wickedness in the past systems, but now there is improvement.”

    According to him, Dangote refinery is coming on stream in the next six month. 

    Pasali said that owing to how Buhari has made the environment investment friendly, some businessmen are now relocating modular refineries into Nigeria. 

    He said that discussions are ongoing with the Minister of Transport for the movement of cargoes of petroleum products through rails to reduce the cost of transportation of petroleum products.

    The IPMAN National Secretary noted that upon the accomplishment  of the rail projects, it will result in the decline of prices of petroleum products. 

  • Fuel loading disrupted in Ejigbo depot

    The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), on Wednesday expressed concern over disruption to loading at Ejigbo Satellite Depot by Pipelines Products Marketing Company (PPMC) in the last three weeks.

    Alhaji Ayo Alanamu, the Chairman of Ejigbo Satellite depot told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Lagos that the disruption to loading at the depot would cause fuel scarcity within the metropolis, if not addressed urgently.

    According to Alanamu, an official of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) explained that routine maintenance was being carried out on system 2B pipeline network, which was yet to be completed.

    “The official said non-payment of salary to the pipelines surveillance security affected the pumping of products to the depot as the security demanded for payment before operation can commence.

    Read Also:IPMAN urges FG to increase supply of kerosene

    “We have not loaded a single product from the depot in the last three weeks and this has increased the ex-depot price in most private depots in Apapa,” he said.

    The IPMAN boss urged the management of NNPC to urgently intervene to avert another round of scarcity that could arise if not carefully managed before the weekend.

    “Today, the situation has worsened as Mosinmi and Ibadan depots now have low stock.
    “The two depots which usually load 200 trucks each on daily basis now load between 10 to 12 trucks daily,” he said.

    He said marketers would not hesitate to sell petrol above pump price of N145 per liter if private depots failed to sell petrol at the official ex-depot price.

    Alanamu said it had been a serious challenge for trucks coming from Kwara, Ilorin, Ekiti, and Kogi to load at Apapa due to the ongoing road repairs.

    A NAN correspondent, who monitored the situation at Ejigbo Satellite Depot reports that loading was no longer going on at the depot while trucks were seen parked outside.

    One of the truck drivers, Mr Musa Adamu, said, “I have been here since last week with my receipt to load after paying to bank but l was told no petrol.

    “My boss told me to wait here until they fix the problem, that is why am still waiting to load,” he said.

    However, one of the officials at the depot, who preferred not to be mentioned, told NAN that the disruption to loading was due to the ongoing maintenance on a sectional line, which had been completed.

    “I cannot confirm to you when pumping will start but you can go to Abuja and ask our bosses further questions,” the official said.

    Effort to get Mr Ndu Ughamadu, the Group General Manager, Public Affairs, NNPC, to respond proved abortive as he refused to pick his calls and failed to respond to text massages.