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Tag: IPMAN

  • Ekiti fuel crisis: NUPENG, IPMAN suspend strike as Aregbesola intervenes

    Ekiti fuel crisis: NUPENG, IPMAN suspend strike as Aregbesola intervenes

    The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG) yesterday suspended their three-week-old strike in Ekiti State, following the intervention of Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

    Leaders of the two unions and Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose met at the Osun State Government House and signed an agreement to suspend the strike.

    In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the Ekiti State government agreed to pleas for the reversal of some Certificates of Occupancy of landed property on which filling stations were built except those on waterways, canal and where there is no justification for such revocation.

    The communique was signed by Governors Fayose and Aregbesola, NUPENG’s General Secretary Joseph Ogbebor, IPMAN’s Zonal Chairman Debo Ahmed and Petroleum Tanker Drivers Association’s (PTD’s) NUPENG National Vice Chairman Solomon Kilanko.

    The communique said an ad hoc committee, comprising of Ekiti State government and oil and gas marketers would be constituted to spell out the conditions and guidelines for the establishment and operations of filling stations in the state.

    It was also agreed that demolition should stop, pending the outcome of the Committee’s report.

    After the meeting, Fayose, who addressed reporters, expressed happiness with the suspension of the strike.

    The governor hailed Aregbesola for his intervention and prayed for the progress of the country.

    Aregbesola expressed appreciation to the unions for their understanding.

  • NUPENG, IPMAN suspend strike in Cross River

    NUPENG, IPMAN suspend strike in Cross River

    The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) yesterday suspended their strike over the N12,800 daily road maintenance levy imposed on petrol tankers in Cross River State.

    The strike led to fuel scarcity and forced the price of petrol to N500 per litre in the black market.

    After a meeting between both unions and representatives of the state government, NUPENG’s National Treasurer Canaan David-Otu said the government had rescinded its decision.

    He said: “We embarked on strike because the state revenue department imposed a daily levy of N12,800 for each tanker loading petrol at the depot. We told the state government’s representatives that we didn’t have such money. Some tanker drivers earn N15,000 as monthly salary. So, you can see that it is impossible to pay that amount.

    “The Federal Government controls the price of fuel in Nigeria. We told the state government openly that we could not pay that money. We have announced to all depots and filling stations to resume the sale of the product to consumers.”

    IPMAN’s State Chairman Lawrence Agim said: “We have agreed that the strike be suspended. We have taken out two weeks to sort out all issues concerning revenue collection from our members in the state.”

    Finance Commissioner Asuquo Ekpeyong, who led the government team, said the meeting was meant to persuade both parties to suspend the strike.

    Ekpeyong said the strike was caused by lack of communication between relevant government agencies and petroleum unions.

    He said: “They (NUPENG and IPMAN) have agreed to suspend the strike. They felt that the state government did not give them adequate information and notice.”

  • IPMAN advocates dredging of rivers

    The Independent Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has advocated the dredging of Ikot Abasi and Mbo rivers, to enable oil marketers bring in sufficient petroleum products to depots in Akwa Ibom State.

    IPMAN Chairman Akwa Ibom State chapter, Mr. Ubong Nyong, told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Eket yesterday vessels could not freight petroleum products to the depots because the rivers were not dredged.

    He said: “The problem we have in the state is that we don’t have functional depots. We depend on depots in Calabar for supply of petroleum products.

    “We urge the government to open the waterways so that marketers can bring in products, to avoid scarcity.’’

    Nyong said the quantity of products the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) supplied the state was inadequate.

    He said the state needed about 44 trucks of petrol to meet its daily requirement.

    Nyong said every marketer was entitled to lift 10 trucks of petrol, five trucks of kerosene and five trucks of gas monthly.

    “But marketers in Akwa Ibom lift only two trucks of petrol in six months. We end up going to private depots to source products,” he said.

    The IPMAN chairman said petrol was sold above N145 per litre because the marketers bought the product above the official price from private depots in Calabar.

    ”We buy petrol at N139 per litre instead of N133.28, which is the approved ex-depot price,’’ he said.

    Nyong enjoined the government to interface with the NNPC in the interim so that they could get sufficient quantity of petroleum products for the state, to bring down the price.

  • New IPMAN boss promises equitable distribution of products

    The Independent Petroleum Marketers of Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has unveiled its new National President, Alhaji Sanusi Abdu Fari, who vowed to ensure equitable distribution of petroleum products.

    He also pledged to unify the aggrieved factions of the association.

    Addressing journalists after his inauguration in Abuja, he said: “IPMAN shall return to its status quo ante where petroleum products are distributed equitably with promptness.”

    Fari submitted that “today as we speak that court of Appeal has become an academic venture with no substance.”

    On why he was inaugurated National President, he said the constitution of the association stipulates that National President’s tenure expires after three year, and upon expiration the National Vice President  automatically becomes the National President.

    He promised that the association, under his watch would return to its status quo, where petroleum products are promptly distributed equitably.

    He added that “under my administration, petroleum products shall not be distributed on the basis of man-know-man. It shall be done without fear or favour. I am that equilibrium point of IPMAN, I therefore undertake not to murder equitable distribution of petroleum products at the altar of sentiment, favoritism, nepotism and ethnicism.”

    Also speaking, a member from the South West Zone, Chief Adewonyi Kola noted that the he was at the inauguration to avoid a vacuum in the association as he believes in the rule of law.

    Chief Shaguolo James, who spoke on behalf of the Midwest zone, commended the new IPMAN boss, while Chief Lawrence Kanu, who spoke who behalf of the South East, said that it is now up to the association to seek strategies for unification and achievement of enduring peace.

     

  • IPMAN threatens strike, accuses Depot owners DPR of extortion

    Lagos State chapter of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has threatened to go on strike in the next few days over  the exorbitant prices charged by depot owners on fuel and extortion by officials of the Department of Petroleum Reources (DPR).

    The group, in a statement endorsed by its chairman, Alhaji Ayo Alanamu, and General Secretary, Prince Kunle Oyenuga, also threatened to shut down all its members 2000 fuel stations across the state and its environs.

    According to IPMAN, its members were expected to buy a litre of fuel at the rate of N133.28 kobo from the private depots owners and sell at N145 per litre to the public in accordance with the Federal Government’s directive. But the depot owners have consistently ignored the directive by selling to fuel station owners at N141.00 per litre.

    It explained that the NNPC supplies the private depots at controlled prices, yet the private depot owners refused or ignored the Federal Government’s fixed price.

  • IPMAN: fuel scarcity imminent

    IPMAN: fuel scarcity imminent

    • NNPC: we are not aware

    The Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) yesterday raised the alarm that petrol may soon be scarce as private depot owners are now selling the product above pump price.

    Its Vice National President, Alhaji Abubakar Maigandi, who disclosed this to The Nation on phone yesterday, added that owing to the prevailing situation in the depots nationwide, marketers in far areas may increase their pump prices.

    He said: “Our members have started complaining about the issue of this price increase by private depots owners. They are increasing the price now seriously which will not allow our marketers to sell the product at the government rate.

    “They are selling at between N140 and N143 from the private depots.  And if the NNPC (Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation) and DPR (Department of Petroleum Resources) do not take drastic measure against it, it may likely cause scarcity nationwide.

    “Since the private depots are not selling at the DPR’s dictate, these private depots are selling above the government rate that we are supposed to pay. They are supposed to give us this product at the rate of N133.28. This is giving us serious problem nationwide now.

    “The normal rate at which the marketers are supposed to sell this product is at the rate of N145 and we are supposed to get this product at the rate of N133.28 and we are not getting it like that.

    “This is a serious problem as the marketers cannot sell above government rate and if the marketers cannot sell the product automatically, there will be scarcity.

    “The other marketers who are in remote areas may start to push up their price because there is no way you can do the business without gain.”

    According to him, it is not an excuse for the depot owners to claim that they sell above petrol pump price due to scarcity of foreign exchange.

    He added that the  NNPC is now the sole importer of the product so marketers cannot blame their hike on scarcity of forex.

    This, manipulation, said Maigandi, is known to the DPR.

    “DPR and NNPC are all aware. You can confirm from them why the private depots are selling above the government rate. And nobody is importing the product other than NNPC. So they have no excuse to say that it is because of the forex. It is NNPC that is solely bringing  this product. So for them to say they are selling above official price because of forex is not true,” he said.

    Reacting, the NNPC Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu said the corporation was unaware  that private depot owners had increased  their pump prices.

    According to him, the NNPC as a player in the industry like other marketers, and has always stayed within the band of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA).

  • IPMAN to DPR: Sanction depot owners selling above approved petrol price

    The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has appealed to the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) to sanction all private depots in Apapa area of Lagos selling above the regulated petrol price of N133.28k

    The Chairman, IPMAN, Western Zone, Alhaji Debo Ahmed, made the call during a chat with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos.

    Ahmed said many depot owners at Apapa sold petrol between N140 and N145, against the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) price template of N133.28kobo.

    He said 90 per cent of petrol products imported into the country were distributed through the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC).

    “It is extremely difficult for marketers outside Lagos to buy petrol at N145 from the depots and sell at same price to consumers,” Ahmed told NAN.

    “The marketers in Ilorin, Ore, Ondo, Akure, Ibadan and Osogbo, are running at a loss.

    “There is need for government to review the activities of DPR official domicile at Apapa private depots who connive with depot owners to sell products above regulated price.”

    He urged the Federal Government to wade into the matter and wield the big stick on dishonest depot owners taking advantage of the shutdown of government- owned depots to make life difficult for his members.

    “We marketers within the South-West – Lagos, Ibadan, Ore, Ilorin and Ekiti – find it extremely difficult to load at Apapa depot due to bottleneck at the depot,’’ the IPMAN chairman said.

  • No fuel price hike – IPMAN

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

    The state IPMAN Chairman, Alhaji Bashir Dan-Malam, said on Friday that the warning was inevitable 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,” he told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

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

    He said the recent meeting between the association and 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, which resolved that the union should go and reconcile with the Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF) on the outstanding payment of transportation charges was an indication that the Federal Government was ready to listen to their grievances and resolve them.

    He said: “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 has 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.”

     

     

     

  • IPMAN blames kerosene scarcity on forex, others

    IPMAN blames kerosene scarcity on forex, others

    • NNPC: we operate like other players

    Consumers of the Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have been paying through the nose to buy the product  because of scarcity. They now pay between N350 and N450 per litre from retailers in their neighborhoods.

    The product, which the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) pegs officially at N87 per litre, following its deregulation because it is used by low class consumers, was not available in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) mega station on Olusegun Obasanjo Way, and other retail outlets in Abuja throughout the weekend and yesterday.

    Asked why the product was scarce, Independent Petroleum Marketing  Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Vice President,  Alhaji Abubakar Dankigari, blamed the situation on foreign exchange (forex) policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Federal Government’s refusal to deregulate the product.

    “The issue is that it is not available. Secondly, most of our refineries are not loading it now. Even if they load  will be selling it at exorbitant rate to marketers,” he explained in a telephone conversation with The Nation yesterday.

    Asked why members of his association were not importing kerosene, he said they cannot import because of forex. “Besides, Kerosene is not fully deregulated. It is not like AGO. The DPK and PMS are not fully deregulated,” he said.

    NNPC Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Ndu Ughamadu, who responded to a ext message on the issue said: “ The corporation has been importing DPK (kerosene), supplementing this with local production. It operates in the downstream like other players.”

    Speaking with our Abuja correspondent on phone, he said if all other marketers that have been authorised to bring in kerosene there would not have been scarcity of the product.

    He however noted that it was not the responsibility of the corporation to find out why the marketers were not importing the product since it is the sole responsibility of the regulator of the industry.

    He said: “NNPC as I said is a player in the downstream. We also have our retail outlets for the generic purpose of the nation. We sell to consumers and we have a conglomeration of players.

    “We have Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria and others. But the issue is that are they bringing in products like NNPC?  If they have all been bringing in products, there wouldn’t be this kind of problem because the NNPC is also set up as a commercial entity.

    “And it is not the responsibility of NNPC to know if A is bringing in or B is not bringing in. NNPC is not a regulator, it is the work of the regulatory agency to find out why these guys are not bringing  in products.”

    The spokesman of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Mr. Saidu Mohammed,  said  he was yet to get report on the issue from field.

    He asked our correspondent to allow him find out and respond but till press time he did not respond.

  • IPMAN: Investment in refineries ‘ll boost fuel supply

    The Federal Government’s move to woo foreign companies to set up refineries in Nigeria will improve distribution of petroleum   products, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) National Chairman Chief Chinedu Okoronkwo has said.

    The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Emmanuel Kachikwu, at a stakeholders’ forum in Abuja, invited investors  to  set up refineries in Nigeria.

    To Okoronkwo,  that  would help  grow the downstream segment of the petroleum industry. He said:“Plans by the Federal Government to welcome foreign investors wishing to invest in refineries in Nigeria is a good one. ‘’Such investment is capable of improving activities in the downstream sub-sector. Apart from the fact that the initiative would boost supply of fuel, it would help both independent and major marketers to expand their operation by opening up more outlets in the country.”

    He said the industry is grappling with problems of refining and supplying fuel to end users, adding that the problems would be addressed once crude oil is refined maximally in the country.

    He stated that many people have lost their jobs due to problems such as fall in oil price, oil theft and other untoward practices in the country. He noted that more jobs would be created if such refineries are built in Nigeria.

    According to him, local and foreign-owned refineries would create opportunities for people who wish to work in the refineries, depots, retail outlets and others. The idea would also provide materials for petrochemical industries especially those that are producing water tanks, plastic chairs, slippers, orthodox drugs and others, he said.

    ‘’The issue of allowing foreigners to own refineries as proposed by the Federal Government comes with a lot of benefits. Stakeholders in the value chain will benefit from it in one way or the other. Of note is that marketers will record more profits, which when ploughed back into the system, would improve activities in the downstream segment of the oil industry,’’ he added.

    Okoronkwo advised the government to fast-track the process of bringing companies that will refine crude oil in Nigeria, adding that the initiative would help in reviving the oil industry.

    The former President, International Association of Energy Economists (IAEE), Prof Adeola Akinnisiju, said the more firms that refine crude in Nigeria, the better for the downstream and the economy.

    He said the economy would improve once there is uninterrupted fuel supply in Nigeria, stressing that the economies are doing well abroad because they grow their oil and gas sector well.

    Nigeria’s Dangote refinery, however, will kick off production in 2018. The refinery has an initial production capacity of 450,000 barrels per day, and remains the biggest privately owned refinery to have such capacity in West Africa.