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
