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  • No fuel price hike, IPMAN, NNPCL insist

    No fuel price hike, IPMAN, NNPCL insist

    • Shun panic buying
    • Group hails petrol stability

    The President, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Abubakar Maigandi, yesterday reiterated that any talk of petrol pump price increase is mere rumour.

    Maigandi, in a telephone conversation with The Nation yesterday, explained that though private depots in Lagos sell the product at N621 per litre, IPMAN members in the axis have been able to stick to the current retail price of between N600 and N630 per litre at the pumps because they get their supplies mainly from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) at N568 per litre.

    “Yes, we make very little profit on what we sell now, but it is a sacrifice that everybody has to make in the interest of the country. Subsidy has been removed, so we must all make the sacrifice and cooperate with government. Besides, we have not received any of such instruction to increase price from NNPCL who is the only importer of the product. So if NNPCL says no increase why would anybody increase the price?” Maigandi asked rhetorically.

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    In a related development, the National President, Petroleum Retailers Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PROOAN), Dr. Billy Gillis-Harry, yesterday said the Federal Government and NNPCL ought to be celebrated for the stabilisation of fuel prices without the need for subsidy payments.

    He spoke in an interview on ARISE NEWS, while examining issues around the alleged ongoing subsidy payments because of a purported discrepancy between the retail price of petroleum products and the landing cost of petroleum in the country.

    “I think that if subsidy is being paid, we should hear it from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who clearly stated that the subsidy is gone on May 29, 2023. We have also not heard from the group CEO of NNPCL, Engineer Mele Kyari, and neither have we heard from the MD of NNPC Retail Limited.

    “So, it is correct that people can have assumption competitions. Associations that are busy working for the interests of Nigerians and their members can also do some projections and speculations as to what’s going on, but the reality is that we can only get accurate information from the source. So, if the government says no subsidy means there is no subsidy, and that’s the reality,” Gillis-Harry stated.

     “So, if the government has said that they are not paying subsidy and allow petroleum products to rise from where it was about N480 to N630, there is a clear mandate that we cannot go beyond that and NNPC is managing to make that work. I think we should give them credit and give them kudos,” he added.

    According to Gillis-Harry, with Nigeria having the lowest fuel price globally, it is crucial to credit the President and NNPCL for implementing the policy that actualised the feat.

    Meanwhile, the NNPCL, yesterday again reassured the public that there is no increment in the price of the commodity.

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd. assures the public that there is no imminent increase in the cost of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol.

    “NNPC Ltd. urges Nigerians to disregard unfounded rumours and assures them that there are no plans for an upward review of the PMS price. Motorists nationwide are advised against engaging in panic buying, as there is presently ample availability of PMS across the country,”  its spokesman, Olufemi Soneye said.

  • IPMAN to close operations in Anambra over N0.9billion debt to members

    IPMAN to close operations in Anambra over N0.9billion debt to members

    The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), has called on the Anambra State governor, Professor Charles Soludo to pay contractors the sum of N900 million owed them for supplying Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) to power streetlights before they were stopped.

    According to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria  (NAN), the Chairman of IPMAN, Enugu Depot Community in charge of Anambra, Ebonyi, and Enugu states, Mr Chinedu Anyaso, made the appeal in Awka on Friday.

    According to Anyaso, the contractor had complied with the directive of the government to return all the generators in their custody in a bid to recover their debts when the contracts were terminated.

    The IPMAN chair warned that marketers in the state may have to suspend operations without further notice until the state government paid them.

    Read Also; Tinubu is determined to end reign of terror in Southeast – Shettima

    He said the marketers were heavily indebted to their lenders and their businesses were being distressed because of their trapped capital.

    Anyaso said IPMAN had written the Anambra government to inform it that they had met the conditions set for them to pay the marketers their money.

    A copy of the letter which was made available to journalists, said the IPMAN general assembly was eagerly waiting for the response of the Anambra government to their demand.

    The letter, titled: ‘Request For Debt Payment of N900,664,805.00 owed our members for Diesel supplied and Services Rendered in Respect Of Street Lights,’, was addressed to the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs

    “We refer to your response on the above subject, dated Nov. 3 on the report of some vendors that are yet to return some of the government-owned generator sets allotted to them for the street lights projects.

    “Be informed, Sir, that all the generators have been fully returned to the government.

    “We, therefore, humbly request that the debt payments owed our members for diesel supplied and services rendered be treated and paid as promised,” it said.

  • IPMAN Warri urges national body to ‘correct illegal composition of management team’

    IPMAN Warri urges national body to ‘correct illegal composition of management team’

    Stakeholders of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Warri depot unit, have called on the national body to “correct” the “illegal” composition of a management team to pilot the affairs of the association.

    Rejecting the team in a statement yesterday, the stakeholders under the aegis of Delta Oil and Gas Security Monitoring Group (DOGSMG), described the composition as a gross violation of IPMAN’s constitution and abuse of mandate by the electoral body. 

    The electoral umpire had opted for the appointment of a 30-man management team, rather than an election on the grounds of pending legal matters at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the association held at the Government House Annex, Edjeba-Warri, Delta State.

    DOGSMG, in the statement signed by its Chairman and Secretary, Chief Frank Akpodiete and Chinedu Ezeonyeka, queried the rationale behind the decision.

    It called on IPMAN national body to live up to its responsibility by correcting the mistakes made by the 2023 Delta IPMAN Electoral Committee, in order to protect the sanctity of its constitution and respect for its democratic norms and values.

    The statement said: “Having stuck our neck out against some forces on different occasions to challenge the prolonged delay in the conduct of Delta IPMAN election, we members of the above mentioned body wish to express our displeasure about the decision of Delta IPMAN electoral body to jeopardise a democratic process for an unconstitutional management team.

    “While we reject the decision to impose an illegal team hurriedly put together to deny the members who came out in large numbers to vote for their choice candidates to pilot their affairs, we call on IPMAN national body to correct this abnormality carried out by few individuals for selfish interest, against its constitutional guidelines and provisions.

    “This appeal has become imperative, considering the fact that if this illegibility is allowed to stand, it may serve as a wrong precedent in future and this is capable of eroding the integrity and supremacy of the constitution of IPMAN as a respectable and responsible association in the downstream sector of the economy”.

    Read Also: IPMAN poll: Candidate, supportersprotest composition of ‘illegal’ management team 

    The group described the excuse by the electoral umpire to jettison the conduct of election for a management team based on restraining court orders received, as an afterthought, insisting that the agenda to impose an unpopular candidate had been plotted long ago by powerful forces within and outside IPMAN.

    “Even if the electoral body had wanted to constitute a body, it would have been a caretaker committee and it is usually not more than five to seven members and not this over-blotted and unconstitutional management team.

    “Furthermore, as stakeholders in the peaceful operation at the downstream sector of the economy in the state, we also want to use this medium to appeal to Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori not to meddle in the electoral process of IPMAN in the state,” it said. 

    It noted that the body was not a political, religious or ethnic group that could cause any harm to his political ambition in the 2027 general election, but would rather work with him to build a strong Delta, based on his MORE agenda.

  • IPMAN poll: Candidate, supportersprotest composition of ‘illegal’ management team 

    IPMAN poll: Candidate, supportersprotest composition of ‘illegal’ management team 

    The much-anticipated election of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Warri Depot Unit, suffered a setback at the weekend, following the composition of a 30-man management team by the electoral umpire.

    A leading contender for the chairmanship position, Olorogun Ese Kakor, at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the association, described the composition of such a team as alien to the body’s constitution.

    Kakor accused members of the 2023 Delta IPMAN Electoral Committee of overseeing the worse electoral process in the history of Warri Depot Unit, by discarding provisions of the constitution to conduct free, fair and credible election for a totally strange management team.

    The long-awaited Delta IPMAN election slated for December 9 was jettisoned for a 30-man management team by members of the 2023 electoral body.

    They cited pending court cases as reason for not holding the election and consequently announced a prepared list of the 30-man management team with Harry Okenini, another chairmanship candidate, as its head.

    Dissociating himself from the arrangement, Olorogun Kakor called on the management of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL) and other stakeholders in the oil and gas sector, both within and outside Delta State, to disregard members of the management team, headed by Mr. Harry Okenini, as its composition does not exist in IPMAN’s constitution. 

    Staging a peaceful protest outside the AGM venue with his overwhelming supporters shortly after the inauguration of the 30-man team by Comrade Austin Erhabor, secretary of the Electoral Committee, Kakor said the umpire had only succeeded in postponing the evil day, adding that only a credible democratic process could bring about peace in any group or association. 

    While the aggrieved placard-carrying protesters loyal to Olorogun Kakor demanded nothing less than a credible election as enshrined in their constitution, the chairmanship candidate enjoined them to remain calm and law-abiding even in the face of injustice perpetrated by the electoral body in denying them the right to elect credible leaders to pilot the affairs of the association.

    Read Also: States can’t take over downstream regulatory role, says IPMAN

    Kakor said: “What we have witnessed here today is an abuse of IPMAN’s constitution and it’s rather very unfortunate that members of the electoral body saddled with the responsibility of conducting a free, fair and credible election for the association have made themselves available to be used in perpetrating injustice against its members.

    “Members of the association, particularly the aged and those who were not strong enough, vibrant men and women left their businesses and important schedules to come out today to elect their officers, only to be told by the electoral body that there will be no election, but a composition of a management team that is alien to the constitution of IPMAN.

    “What members of the electoral body did by the charade we have seen in the IPMAN AGM is fraud borne out of desperation to justify the millions of naira collected from interest forms sold to all candidates contesting the election and because they have decided to compromise, had to accommodate all the candidates in an illegal management team that in itself is an aberration to IPMAN’s constitution.

    “Let’s even agree that there are pending court cases as claimed by the electoral body and they have to respect the rule of law. The only known option available in IPMAN constitution is to constitute a caretaker committee with a few members that can easily be managed and not an enlarged management team that is totally strange to IPMAN electoral guidelines.

    “We are therefore calling on the management of NNPCL and other stakeholders to IPMAN to disregard the newly constituted management team as it does not exist in IPMAN constitution and hereby remains an illegal and unacceptable body to the association.

    “The only way forward is for democracy to take its course in IPMAN. There’s nothing like a credible democratic process. It is through the conduct of a credible election that brought President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, to power and as such there can never be an alternative to a credible IPMAN election.”

    Some inscriptions on the placards read: “NNPCL Disregard Warri Depot Unit Management Team”; “We Demand a Credible Election”; “The Fraud Called Management Team, No Election, No Peace in Delta IPMAN, Management Team Is a Scam”; “Our Constitution Does Not Recognise Management Team,” among others.

  • States can’t take over downstream regulatory role, says IPMAN

    States can’t take over downstream regulatory role, says IPMAN

    The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has cautioned Southeast governors against their attempt to take over the role of the regulator of downstream petroleum operations in the region.

    The association condemned the invasion of marketers’ outlets by state governments in the guise of enforcing fuel prices and monitoring oil dispensing machines at filing stations.

    IPMAN Chairman at Enugu Depot, who is also in charge of Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu states, Mr. Chinedu Anyaso, stated this while addressing reporters yesterday in Awka, the Anambra State capital.

    He urged the governors to call their aides to order to avoid having a collision with IPMAN.

    Read Also: Private depots sell petrol cheaper than NNPCL, says IPMAN

    The union leader explained that the state governments lacked either the standardised and approved equipment to measure accuracy of dispensing machines or the powers to supervise downstream petroleum operations.

    He said: “IPMAN Enugu Depot condemns the invasion of our filling stations. The Anambra State government did it and we protested. But …the Enugu State government is doing the same thing with a deliberate effort to blackmail some of our members.

    “This is sheer overzealousness on the part of some aides of governors. We call on our governors to call these people to order to avoid putting IPMAN on a collision course with state governments.”

    Anyaso stressed that the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) remained the only constitutionally empowered body to regulate the downstream sector operations of the oil industry.

    The union chief stressed that states are free to work with IPMAN, if they so wished.

    “State governments are not empowered to carry out regulatory functions over downstream operators. They lack the expertise. The seraphim bottles they are using are not certified to have been properly calibrated.

    “NMDPRA is the only body empowered by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), (through) Section 48 (1), to carry out all the regulatory activities in the sector,” he said.

    Stressing that the association was not absolving its members of sharp practices, the IPMAN chief urged state governments to collaborate with NMDPRA, established by Federal Government to supervise the sector, if the need becomes necessary.

    “IPMAN is not by any means saying that all our members are free from malpractice. We are not holding brief for them either. All we are saying is that things should be done properly by the appropriate authority.

    “NMDPRA has offices in almost all the states, so state governments should work with them. On our part, IPMAN has a task force as an internal mechanism to check infractions by our members,” Anyaso added.

  • Save us from incessant kidnap, IPMAN cries out to DSS

    Members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) operating in the Ibarapa axis of Oyo state comprising Lanlate, Eruwa, Igboora, Idere, Ayete, Tapa and Igangan, have sent a ‘Save our Soul’ message to the Department of State Services (DSS) over the spate of kidnap of their members in recent time.

    In a letter addressed to the State Director, Department of State Services (DSS), by the group’s counsel, Segun Adebayo, the petroleum marketers noted that they are in a state of fear, panic and insecurity which has also pervade the operation of their businesses in the entire Ibarapaland.

    According to the letter, the fuel marketers recounted that four members of the association whose businesses interests are domiciled in the Ibarapaland have been kidnapped, tortured and kept in custody for several days in quick succession by unknown gunmen, adding that huge ransom were collected before they regained their freedom.

    The letter reads in parts, “We start with the latest abduction which is that of the wife of the proprietor of Alafia Tayo petrol station located around General Hospital, Igboora, which occured in the evening of April 21, 2019.

    “The gunmen attacked the petrol station in large numbers, fired gunshots into the air which made people to scamper for safety. Having missed the proprietor of the station, the gunmen pounced on his wife whom they met inside the station’s office, forced her into a car snatched from a customer who was buying fuel and drove away.

    The letter also included the names of other fuel marketers who were kidnapped at different times but had to pay huge amount of monies before their released were secured.

    “Other members of Ibarapa IPMAN who have been kidnapped are proprietor of Adolad petrol, Elekokan, Near Iganagan. He was kidanpped and kept in custody for 15 days in February 2019 and a huge amount of money was paid to secure his release. He was made to trek in the bush all-night and surfaced the following morning around the Nigerian border at Imeko, Ogun state.

    “Another one was the kidnap of the proprietor of Mausag petroleum, Igboora. He was also kept in custody for several days before a large amount of money was paid before he could regain his freedom.

    “The proprietor of Arolat petrol, New Eruwa, was also kidnapped in Ayetoro, Ogun state. He was kept in custody for five days until a huge sum of money was paid as ransom before he was released”, the letter stated.

    The petroleum marketers, however, pleaded with the Oyo State Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), to provide enhanced security in the length and breath of Ibarapaland.

    They also urged the DSS to intensify intelligence operations in all the towns and villages in Ibarapaland because they believe that the series of abduction may have been with internal connivance of some unsuspecting individuals.

  • Fuel: NUPENG, IPMAN say no reason for panic-buying

    QUEUES for fuel remained in parts of the country yesterday despite assurances from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), and the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) that there was no reason for panic buying.

    Long queues were noticed in some parts of Lagos like Ojota, Ogba and Ikeja as well as Abeokuta, and Ado Ekiti.

    The Ekiti State government warned owners and operators of filling stations in the state to desist from hoarding of petroleum products or face the consequences.

    Some filling stations did not sell fuel in Lagos, Ogun and Ekiti states.

    Petroleum stations at Iworoko, Ikere Ekiti, old Iyin Road, Bank road, and Ajilosun area of Ado Ekiti failed to open for operation.

    IPMAN, NUPENG say there is no need for panic buying

    The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), and National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), urged Nigerians to stop panicking over fuel scarcity as there is sufficient product.

    IPMAN said there was sufficient fuel in the country and about six vessels of imported petrol ordered by the NNPC were currently discharging the product.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted Mr. Chinedu Okoronkwo, the National President of IPMAN, as saying that all the NNPC depots across the states had commenced loading of petroleum product by marketers.

    He said: “Marketers are currently loading petrol in Makurdi, Kano, Enugu, Aba, Yola, Suleja, Kaduna, Ejigbo, Mosinmi, Ibadan and other depots across the country.

    “The shortfall in distribution was due to slow pace of product importation and hitches at the jetty which had been addressed.

    “But the Federal Government is on top of the situation, there is enough of petrol to go round. I have also instructed all our members to ensure adequate distribution of the product across the country.

    “I have also directed them to ensure product is sold at official price of N145 per litre. If there is any issues on distribution and pricing differentials, members should call the secretariat for further action.

    “The Petroleum Product Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) template has not changed, so, no marketer should influence hike or sell above official price,” he said.

    He stressed further that IPMAN had so far reached an agreement with other marketers for better synergy in making the product available in the country.

    “IPMAN which controls 80 per cent outlets, has more advantage in distributing and dispensing in both urban and hinterlands in the country.

    Mr. Tayo Aboyeji, Chairman, Lagos Zone of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), in a separate interview said: “there is enough fuel, Nigerians should avoid panic buying.”

    He said that “there is fuel and it is available, as I am talking to you now, some of the depots have received the products and are already loading.

    “What is happening was panic buying, people think there might be price increase from government or removal of subsidy.

    But nothing of such, government has assured us that no increase in petrol pricing for now, so, Nigerians and marketers should avoid being panic over fuel scarcity.

    “I urge Nigerians and motorists to avoid storing of petrol at home because it’s dangerous for us, fuel is available, I have visited some depots and I can confirmed to you that loading is going on.

    Read also: Disregard rumour of fuel scarcity, NNPC tells Nigerians

    “As at Friday, we had instructed our tanker drivers to engage in 24-hours loading activities and lift products from depots to filling stations across the country.

    “We will ensure 24-hours service delivery of product distribution in the country, we also urge government to checkmate activities of the task force in Lagos and along Ibadan expressway.

    “Our members are being extorted and harassed by members of the task force. Some drivers who were scheduled to load in Lagos were denied asses to Lagos, which also affects effective distribution of products,” he said.

    Alhaji Debo Ahmed, the Chairman, Western Zone of IPMAN, however, attributed the ongoing queues at some stations was due to shortfall in NNPC distribution network to depots.

    Ahmed said that all depots within the South-West zone were loading at a low pace due to insufficient products.

    “We have lots of pending tickets from marketers awaiting loading at depots but were still stranded.

    Ekiti warns dealers of petroleum products against hoarding.

    Continue in page 2

  • Fuel shortage: Edo, oil marketers warn residents against panic buying

    In the wake of rumoured shortage of petroleum products in the state, the Edo State Government has warned residents in the state not to engage in panic buying as adequate arrangements have been made to ensure ample supply of the products, especially during the Easter break.

    Edo State Commissioner for Minerals, Oil and Gas, Hon. Joseph Ugheoke, disclosed this after a meeting with executives of the Edo Chapter of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) in Benin City, the Edo State capital, at the weekend.

    The Commissioner urged residents in the state to disregard rumours of impending fuel scarcity, assuring that there would not be a disruption in the supply of petroleum products.

    He said the state government was working in collaboration with major stakeholders in the fuel distribution chain to sustain the present availability of products.

    On the outcome of the meeting with the oil dealers, the commissioner conveyed the resolve of the marketers to continue to dispense petrol at the approved pump price and without instigating artificial scarcity through hoarding.

    On their parts, Vice Chairman of the Edo State IPMAN, Abdulhamid Baba Saliu and the Chairman, Major Oil Marketers and Dealers, Tony Aghedo, affirmed the availability of petroleum products for consumers, noting that there was no cause for alarm.

    The commissioner said the stakeholders are expected to reconvene next week to review the situation for further action.

  • IPMAN, NUPENG assures of products availability

    The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), and National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), have urged Nigerians to stop panicking over fuel scarcity as there is sufficient product.

    The duo said this in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos against the backdrop of the ongoing fuel scarcity in the country.

    The association confirmed that about six vessels of imported petrol ordered by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) were currently discharging the product, assuring that the corporation has sufficient products.

    Mr Chinedu Okoronkwo, the National President of IPMAN, told NAN that there was no need for panicking over fuel scarcity, as virtually all the NNPC depots across the states had commence loading of petroleum product by marketers.

    ‘’Marketers are currently loading petrol in Makurdi, Kano, Enugu, Aba,Yola, Suleja, Kaduna, Ejigbo, Mosinmi, Ibadan and other depots across the country.

    ‘’The shortfall in distribution was due to slow pace of product importation and hitches at the jetty which had been addressed.

    ‘’But the Federal Government is on top of the situation, there is enough of petrol to go round. I have also instructed all our members to ensure adequate distribution of the product across the country.

    “I have also directed them to ensure product is sold at official price of N145 per litre. If there is any issues on distribution and pricing differentials, members should call the secretariat for further action.

    ‘’The Petroleum Product Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) template has not changed, so, no marketer should influence hike or sell above official price,’’ he said.

    Okoronkwo reaffirmed the commitment of the association toward supporting the Federal Government’s efforts on effective and efficient distribution of petroleum products across the country.

    He stressed further that IPMAN had so far reached an agreement with other marketers for better synergy in making the product available in the country.

    “IPMAN which controls 80 per cent outlets, has more advantage in distributing and dispensing in both urban and hinterlands in the country.

    “In line with the Federal Government’s efforts at ensuring efficient petroleum products distribution across the country, IPMAN members have opted for a seamless distribution of petroleum products,’’ he said.

    He noted that such synergy amongst members with the Federal Government, would present a common front that would advance the interest of the group and ensure smooth distribution of the products across the country.

    Mr Tayo Aboyeji, Chairman, Lagos Zone of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), also colloborated the IPMAN’s president, saying “there is enough fuel, Nigerians should avoid panic buying’’.

    Aboyeji said that “there is fuel and it is available, as I am talking to you now, some of the depots have received the products and are already loading.

    “What is happening was panic buying, people think there might be price increase from government or removal of subsidy.

    “But nothing of such, government has assured us that no increase in petrol pricing for now, so, Nigerians and marketers should avoid being panic over fuel scarcity.

    READ ALSO: NUPENG urges Nigerians to stop panic buying of fuel

    “I urge Nigerians and motorists to avoid storing of petrol at home because it’s dangerous for us, fuel is available, I have visited some depots and I can confirmed to you that loading is going on.

    ‘’As at Friday, we have instructed our tanker drivers to engage in 24-hours loading activities and lift products from depots to filling stations across the country.

    “We will ensure 24-hours service delivery of product distribution in the country, we also urge government to checkmate activities of the task force in Lagos and along Ibadan expressway.

    “Our members are being extorted and harassed by members of the task force. Some drivers who were scheduled to load in Lagos were denied asses to Lagos, which also affects effective distribution of products,’’ he said.

    Alhaji Debo Ahmed, the Chairman, Western Zone of IPMAN, however attributed the ongoing queues at some stations was due to shortfall in NNPC distribution network to depots.

    Ahmed said that all depots within the South-West zone were loading at a low pace due to insufficient products.

    “We have lots of pending tickets from marketers awaiting loading at depots but were still stranded.

    Also, Alhaji Ayo Alanamu, the Chairman, IPMAN Ejigbo Satellite depot, attributed the challenges to shortfall of the product from NNPC.

    Alanamu said that marketers, IPMAN and NNPC retails battled with 40-trucks on daily basis which was not sufficient.

    He urged government to expedite action toward importing more products to avoid another round of scarcity that had ended.

    He noted that depot owners were also contributing to the scarcity due to the hike in pricing.

    NAN recalls that on April 12, NNPC said trending social media report of an impending fuel scarcity due to purported refusal by some oil marketers to lift products from depots was false.

  • Marketers warn against imminent petrol scarcity

    The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) yesterday raised the alarm over the fear of a looming fuel scarcity.

    Its National Vice President, Alhaji Abubakar Maigandi, who spoke with The Nation in Abuja, said members who paid for the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) since last two weeks were yet to get the product.

    He said: “We have paid the money and we cannot access the product. The way we have been buying products from them is above government stipulated rate of N133.28. We are buying it at the rate of N140 and N141, yet you cannot access it.  If the government does not take extra care, definitely we are expecting a serious scarcity.”

    Reacting to the development, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) said it has imported  10 vessels laden with petrol currently offshore Lagos.

    Its  Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, in a text message yesterday, added that the oil firm  has over one billion litres  of petrol that it has spread across the various depots in the country.

    He urged IPMAN to pay for the products to private depots only when they are sure of availability.

    Ugahmadu said: “We have over one billion litres spread across many depots nationwide with 10 import vessels currently offshore Lagos laden with PMS.

    “We advise marketers to patronise NNPC depots, pay for product to private depots only when they are sure such depots have stock to avoid being used to finance their procurements and report to DPR, depots  that sell above N133.28.”

    Maigandi said an attempt to deregulate the petrol market will aggravate the situation, urging the government to fashion out a measure for managing the fuel market before it gets out of hand.

    He said the NNPC depots that are selling the product at the official pump price of N133.28 per litre while the private depot owners have hiked their rates to between N40 and N41 per litre.