Tina Amanda
Independent Petroleum Marketers Association, IPMAN, in Rivers State has dismissed the insinuations in some quarters that Petroleum Marketers and Owners of Retail Outlets are hoarding fuel in the state.
In an interview with our correspondent, IPMAN State Chairman, Dr Obele Joseph, maintained that about ninety-five (95) per cent of filling stations in the state have run out of stock, noting that none of the private tank farms numbering over two hundred (200) in Nigeria import nor sell products to Marketers, as NNPC only does the servicing at the moment.
He emphasized that NNPC telling their insufficient quantity of product could be political, as Marketers are finding it difficult to replenish due to Depot’s inability to import or sell.
“We Petroleum Marketers and Owners of Petrol stations are not hoarding fuel as speculated, most of us are out of stock. NNPC told us three weeks ago that they have forty days sufficiency, two weeks ago that they have forty days sufficiency, the same thing they said last week, yesterday they have forty days sufficiency.
“I want to ask does it mean, it does not reduce, it could be political and where is the product because we want to buy, they should give us address where they have this product available and we will drive our trucks to buy. There is no Depot selling, no Depot servicing us at the moment.
“Currently if they are to import Premium Motor Spiri, PMS, it will be at the rate of one hundred and ninety-five (195) naira per litre, and Marketers would sell at the rate of two hundred and ten (210) naira per litre, which federal government said yes to but labour said no”
He however said the only way out from the present looming fuel scarcity is for quick approval of subsidy for the year 2021.
“This looming scarcity will likely last for a while before it could be resolved, and the only immediate approach to it is for the National Assembly to call for an emergency meeting and quickly approve subsidy for 2021 so that petrol pump price will remain same or they allow Marketers import at one hundred and ninety-five (195) naira per litre and sell at landing cost”
He advised consumers not to blame Marketers for the outrageous petrol pump price, but rather blame the Nigerian Leaders that have refused to fix the four refineries in the country.
