The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN)

  • DPR to shut down unlicensed petrol stations in Cross River

    The Department of Petroleum Resources ( DPR ) in Cross River, on Wednesday in Calabar, threatened to shut down filling stations in the state without registered operating licence.

    Mr Bassey Nkanga, the state DPR Operations Controller, gave this warning at a meeting with the officials of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria ( IPMAN ) and Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria ( MOMAN ).

    Nkanga said that the department reminded oil marketers in the state on Oct. 31, 2017 on the need to renew their operating licences, adding that the dateline for registration had since elapsed on March 31.

    According to him, DPR will soon embark on ‘operation display your renewed licence in your filing station or be shut down’.

    He told the oil marketers that any filling station shut down during the operation, the owner would have to pay a fine of N250,000 before it could be reopened for business.

    “Any moment from now, we will embark on an intensified operation to ensure that marketers, who have not renewed their licences are not allowed to operate.

    “We have more than 600 filling stations in Cross River and it is sad to know that only a little above 100 have their valid registered licences.

    “To prevent any embarrassment, IPMAN members should display their renewed licences in their filling stations henceforth,’’ he said.

    The Operations Controller frowned at marketers, who were in the habit of adjusting their fuel pump to short-change customers.

    He further warned that any filling station under-dispensing petroleum product would face the wrath of the law.

    On the issue of kerosene explosion in the state, Nkanga said that the organisation would partner with IPMAN in the state to drastically reduce the influx of adulterated product.

    “Don’t buy doubtful product from anybody apart from the licensed depot; anyone, who buys adulterated product and there is an explosion in any corner, that person will face the necessary sanctions.

    “DRP is well equipped in checking petrol stations across the state to ensure that the right thing is done,’’ he said.

    Mr Lawrence Agim, the IPMAN Chairman in Cross River, expressed sadness on the incessant kerosene explosions in the state.

    Agim said that many families had been affected by such explosions.

    He lauded the state DPR for always holding regular meetings with them in order to appraise the situation of petroleum product in the state.

    NAN

  • Why petrol is scarce – IPMAN

    Why petrol is scarce – IPMAN

    The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria ( IPMAN ) Tuesday opened up on the true cause of the fresh scarcity of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in some parts of the country.

    According to its National Vice President, Alhaji Abubakar Maigandi, who spoke with The Nation on phone said that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), said that the corporation was delaying loading the of independent marketers trucks at its depots.

    He added that the private depots that were opened to the independent marketers were selling above the official price.

    His words: “In the NNPC there serious delay in loading. Then the private depots are selling above the government stipulated rate. This has stopped most of the independent marketers not to buy it. They are selling between N141 to N145 per liter in the depots in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Calabar and Warri. This is why we are having serious challenges. If care is not taken there will be serious scarcity. Government needs to quickly intervene for the sake of the people.”

    Petrol has been scarce in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as most of the petrol stations are under lock and key.

    The corporation’s Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr.  Ndu Ughamadu has issued a statement that there is sufficient petrol and that there is no plan to hike the pump price.

  • Fuel queues resurface in Sokoto metropolis

    Fuel queues resurface in Sokoto metropolis

    Fuel queues have resurfaced in Sokoto metropolis and its environs, creating hardship for motorists and commuters.

    The queues, which started two days ago, became worse on Monday morning as motorists resorted to panic buying.

    Some of the filling stations belonging to Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria ( IPMAN ) have increased the price of a litre of petrol from N145 to N150 per litre.

    At NNPC mega stations and other filling stations run by major marketers, the queues were longer, as they maintained the official price of N145 per litre but were reluctant to sell to motorists.

    Some motorists on queue expressed displeasure about the situation and urged the government to act fast before it degenerated into a major problem.

    “We were happy that fuel scarcity during the yuletide had become history, only for the problem to resurface now.

    “Efforts must be made to curb the problem; especially with the current socio-economic realities in the country,’’ a Motorist, Mr Sifawa Ahmad said.

    Another motorist, Mary Onya said the situation was a cause for concern and government must take immediate action.

    Mr Mohammed Makera, Sokoto Operations Controller of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), said  that the problem would soon ease off.

    “Expectedly, the problem will soon ease off as we will find out what the problem is and everything will be under control soon.

    “Officials of the DPR have embarked on sustained monitoring and surveillance and any marketer found wanting will face necessary sanctions, ’’ Makera said.

    He appealed for more patience and implored people to avoid panic buying in view of its associated dangers.

    NAN

  • IPMAN lauds FG’s commencement of oil exploration in five states

    IPMAN lauds FG’s commencement of oil exploration in five states

    The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria ( IPMAN ) in Kano State has commended the Federal Government for starting oil exploration in Sokoto, Benue, Borno, Bauchi and Nasarawa states.

    The IPMAN chairman in the state, Alhaji Bashir Dan-Malam, made the commendation while speaking to newsmen shortly after the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the association in Kano on Wednesday.

    “The oil exploration which the Federal Government had started in five states mentioned above will ensure their economic growth and development and that of the country at large,” he said.

    The IPMAN chairman, who called for continued support to the NNPC, also applauded the Federal Government for sustaining regularity in petrol supply across the country.

    He said with the present administration’s commitment toward addressing challenges facing the sector and exemplary leadership of the NNPC Group Managing Director, Dr Maikanti Baru, fuel scarcity had now become history in the country.

    “Before now, people used to accuse marketers of fuel crisis in the country but scarcity of petroleum products has become a thing of the past due to the Federal Government’s commitment toward addressing the problems facing the sector,” he said.

    He said the present administration under President Muhammadu Buhari deserved to be commended for tackling the various challenges facing the oil and gas sector and ensuring steady supply of petrol in the country.

    He also commended the NNPC for planning to make available petroleum products, especially, petrol in  all the 21 depots ahead of the forthcoming Christmas and New Year festivals.

    “This singular action is worthy of commendation in view of what we used to experience in the past at the end of every year in the country.

    Dan-Malam said with the current positive development in the sector, the country would soon commence exporting petrol to other countries.

    NAN reports that the meeting was attended by members of the association from Katsina, Jigawa, Bauchi and Yobe states that made up IPMAN Kano unit.

    NAN

  • El-Rufai warns IPMAN members against unruly behaviour

    El-Rufai warns IPMAN members against unruly behaviour

    Gov. Nasiru El-Rufai of Kaduna State has urged members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria ( IPMAN ) in the state to end the bickering among them and live in peace.

    The governor said in Kaduna when he received newly elected officials of the association who paid him a courtesy visit that the government would not condone any breach of the peace.

    According to him, it is mandatory for members of the association to be given the opportunity to elect their leaders, saying those not satisfied with the election should seek redress in court.

    “Those who are not satisfied with the election should to go to court instead of causing chaos in the state,’’ the governor said.

    El-Rufai stressed that peace was vital for the progress of the association and assured of the government support to the new leadership.

    Earlier, the new state IPMAN Chairman, Alhaji Bala Usman acknowledged that the association was unable to hold election for a long time due to internal crisis.

    He however said with the elections held on Oct. 21, the association was now poised to contribute more meaningfully to the state economy.

    Usman expressed gratitude to the governor for ensuring that the election was peaceful, and pledged that the association would henceforth pay its annual ground rent to government without delay.

    The chairman pleaded with the governor to intervene on their behalf, for the reopening of their secretariat sealed by the management of Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company, due to the prolonged crisis in the association.

    Other officials elected include Alhaji Garba Jega as Vice Chairman and Mr Solomon Ehizogie as Secretary.

    NAN

  • ‘$18bn Dangote refinery will boost Nigeria’s foreign investment’

    ‘$18bn Dangote refinery will boost Nigeria’s foreign investment’

    The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria ( IPMAN ), western zone, on Wednesday says that the 18 billion dollars Dangote refinery will boost the country’s foreign investment when it finally comes on stream.

    The Zonal Chairman, Alhaji Debo Ahmed, said this in an interview in Lagos against the backdrop of arrears of N800 billion government owed marketers on subsidy.

    The Dangote refinery, which has the capacity to refine 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day with petrochemical plant which will produce 780 KTPA Polypropylene, 500 KTPA of Polyethylene, is expected to come on stream by 2019.

    Ahmed said the multi-billion dollar project, when completed, would finally address the challenges facing the downstream sector of the oil and gas industry and also aid the nation’s economy.

    He said that the refinery would also attract more foreign investments into the country’s economy and boost oil and gas revenue , while urging Federal Government to intensify support for the actualisation of the project.

    The IPMAN boss urged government to formulate policies that would liberalise the market to promote downstream sector.

    He said that government had a lot of roles to play in setting the right policies for a robust and investment friendly atmosphere.

    According to him, the refinery is expected to create over 300,000 jobs and eradicate petroleum products importation in the country by the first quarter of 2019 when it’s finally completed.

    “The refinery, when completed, would save the country billions of dollars foreign exchange on petroleum product importation and also create foreign exchange earning to Nigeria from the savings.

    “The refinery would also complement the existing refineries in the country to boost refined products and would crash the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) because the product is refined in the country.

    “Therefore, it will save some costs incurred in the import market and crash price of petrol in the market,’’ he said.

    Ahmed, however, appealed to the National Assembly to expedite action on the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) that would reshape the oil and gas industry.

    He said that the pending bill had affected the economy’s growth of the industry, adding that the passage of the governance aspect of the bill was a right direction but other bills needed to be addressed urgently.

    NAN

  • Petrol prices to dip as Nigeria exit recession – IPMAN

    Petrol prices to dip as Nigeria exit recession – IPMAN

    The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Vice National President, Alhaji Abubakar Maigandi Monday forecast that following the nation’s exit from recession, the prices of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) also known as petrol will dip further very soon.

    Speaking with The Nation on phone, he said that the economy will now improve for more people to buy and drive more car, which is bound to increase the turnover of some of the petrol stations and further attract more marketers to supply more and drag down the prices of petrol.

    His words: “Now that Nigeria is out of recession, more people will be able to buy cars and demand for petrol to drive them. The demand will attract petrol marketers to supply to a glut level that will further dip the pump prices.”

    The forces of demand and supply and their inherent competition have already crashed the pump prices to N139 per litre in A.A. Rano on Kubwa expressway, Abuja, N140 per litre in Shema on the same road while other marketers sell for N142.

    All the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) affiliate stations have however pegged their prices at N143 per liter while other major marketers as Total and others still sell at the maximum band of N145 per liter.

    Customers have apparently abandoned those selling for N145 per litre to a matter of last alternative, especially for visitors and taxis that run out of fuel completely.

    Maigandi commended the federal government on the provision of an enabling environment that led to the interplay of the market fundamentals that crashed the pump prices.

    He also commended the government on the policies that have culminated in easy access to the petrol, adding that “it is no longer difficult to get it in any filling station.”

    Maigandi noted that selling above pump price has suddenly become history as customers no longer buy from such marketers.

    He however had his reservation concerning the manner that the NNPC market kerosene and diesel, saying that their sales are still characterized by corrupt practices.

    According to him, marketers cannot access the products without going through the middlemen that cut corners in the depots across the country.

    He lamented that the Petroleum Equalization Fund (PEF) is still owing the marketers billions of Naira as cost of bridging different products.

  • DPR warns IPMAN against sale of adulterated kerosene in A’ Ibom

    DPR warns IPMAN against sale of adulterated kerosene in A’ Ibom

    The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), has warned the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) in Akwa Ibom against the sale of adulterated products to consumers.

    Dr Joseph Frank-Briggs, the DPR Operations Controller in charge of Akwa Ibom, gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Eket on Sunday.

    Frank-Briggs said that the department would withdraw the operating licenses of marketers involved in such practice and also seal their stations to serve as deterrent to others.

    He spoke against the backdrop of kerosene explosion that occurred in Eket on July 4 which claimed two lives and left six persons with serious burns.

    The operations manager expressed concern over the frequent incidents of kerosene explosion in the state.

    He advised the people of the state to buy products from licensed petroleum stations only instead of patronising peddlers that are more likely to sell adulterated products to consumers.

    Frank-Briggs said that the department was collaborating with the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps to apprehend those involved in selling adulterated kerosene in the state.

    He added that the department would also collaborate with the state Ministry of Information to sensitise the public on the dangers of adulterated petroleum products.

    “A lot of people are ignorant of it and if such awareness is not created, people will continue to fall victims to such explosions,” he said.

  • IPMAN warns members against hoarding, diversion

    The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) in Kano State has warned its members against hoarding and diversion of Petroleum products.

    The IPMAN Chairman in the state, Alhaji Bashir Dan-Malam, on Thursday said that the warning became necessary following the reduction in the supply of the product due to the accident which occurred in Oyo state which led to the closure of the road by the vehicles involved.

    “Marketers should not exploit the situation by causing artificial scarcity in the state as normalcy will soon be restored,” Dan-Malam said.

    He said that the union’s monitoring committee in collaboration with the other regulating agencies would continue to go round to enforce compliance and to apprehend defaulting members.

    The IPMAN chairman warned that any marketer found hoarding or diverting the product would be appropriately sanctioned.

    Dan-Malam said that the union would not fold its arms and allow some unpatriotic members to sabotage the current effort toward resolving the problem bedeviling the sector.

    “We know there was a problem but that should not be used to create artificial scarcity, instead we should cooperate with the government to resolve the problem.

    “The meeting between the union and Federal Government is still ongoing and we hope all the pending issues will be resolved soon,” he said.

    According to him, there is urgent need for members of the association to support the government in view of the fact that it has shown commitment toward resolving the crisis.

    He, however, warned private depots to desist from selling the product to their members above the approved price as they would no longer accept the hike.

    He commended the Federal Government for ensuring that Kaduna, Port Harcourt and Warri refineries, resumed normal production.

    Many fuel marketers in the state had closed their filling stations while the few that opened had increased their price from N145 to between N150 and N160. 

     

  • IPMAN urges members to disregard fuel price hike rumour

    IPMAN urges members to disregard fuel price hike rumour

    The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) in Kano State has told its members to disregard the rumour of a possible price hike of Petroleum Products.

    The state IPMAN Chairman, Alhaji Bashir Dan-Malam, who stated this in an interview with newsmen in Kano on Friday, said the call was necessary to avert hoarding and its attendant hardship on Nigerians.

    Dan-Malam advised members in the state to continue with their normal business as the association would sanction anyone caught hoarding or selling the product above the approved price of N145.

    “As leaders of the association, we feel it is necessary to tell our members the truth as the government has no plan to increase fuel price for now.

    “The rumour is a lie and anything you hear that is not from us, ignore it,” the IPMAN chairman said.

    He commended the recent meeting of the association with the Chief of Staff to the President, Malam Abba Kyari, Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun and Minister of state, Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachukwu.

    The chairman said the meeting was an indication that the Federal Government was ready to listen to their grievances and resolve them.

    Dan-Malam said that during the meeting it was resolved that the union should go and reconcile with the Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF) on the outstanding payment of transportation charges.

    “During the meeting, it was agreed that a committee to be chaired by the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun consisting of all stakeholders be set up with a mandate to reconcile all outstanding balances.

    The aim is to come up with a plan to clear all the issues that have plagued the sector.

    “The administration has clearly demonstrated its willingness to create an enabling environment for a viable and sustainable downstream sector in Nigeria and IPMAN is 100 per cent committed to achieving this goal,” he said.