Independent Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, Rivers State, says Marketers can not revert to one hundred and sixty-five (165) naira petrol pump price after purchasing at the same rate from Private Depot owners.
IPMAN Chairman Rivers State, Dr Joseph Obele, who stated this in response to the memo by NUPENG directing Marketers to revert to the government-approved pump price, insisted that they can not buy petrol at 165 naira per litre from Private Depot owners and still sell at the same rate.
He said private depot owners should be mandated to sell at one hundred and forty-eight (148) naira per litre to Marketers to enable them to sell at government approved pump price of 165 naira to the public.
“It is very important to correct the impression in the public domain regarding the memo by our critical stakeholder NUPENG. It is pertinent to note that the memo was not directed to petrol Marketers operating filling stations. It was directed to private Depot owners selling to Marketers at that point of the supply chain.
“It will interest you to know that as at last weekend Marketers are still buying at the rate of 165 naira per litre from private tank farm owners, it is not possible for Marketers to buy at 165, 175 and still sell at a government-approved price. We plead with the public to cooperate with filling stations owners as none of them is buying at the normal rate at the moment.”
In his response, National Treasurer NUPENG, Comrade Alex Agwanwor, in an interview with our correspondent, said IPMAN should name all Depot refusing to revert to the government-approved price of 148 per litre.
According to him, NUPENG as a Union will not allow Marketers and Depot owners to take unduly advantage of the public by selling above the stipulated pump price.
Agwanwor maintained that it is wrong for any Marketer to continue to sell at a higher price when there is a subsidy, noting the Union will set up a task force to expose the tank farm owners and petroleum Marketers involved in the act.
“The ultimatum we gave is not just IPMAN alone, the memo covers petroleum dealers and also tank farm Depot owners. For us as a Union, we can not watch them manipulate Nigerians, it is our duty to protect our members and the citizenry because this is our sector.
“We have asked them to return to the normal price of 165 naira per liter. If IPMAN claims to be selling at above the approved price having purchased at the very price, then they should name the private Depot refusing to sell at government approved pump price.
“Subsidy is still on, they can not buy the product at a higher price when there is a subsidy.here did they import from, how did private tank farms come about the higher price they are selling to IPMAN. We are setting up task force soon to expose those involved in the sabotage.”
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