IPMAN now getting fuel supply, says queues will vanish in 2023
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Members of the Independent Petroleum Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) are now getting fuel supply from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) and have raised hope of normal pump price without queues.
IPMAN President Chinedu Okoronkwo, who gave the assurance, blamed the persist distribution palaver on artificial scarcity caused by greedy officials and middlemen.
Pump price still hovers between N220 and N260 per litre in some stations owned by independent marketers, but Okoronkwo said distribution hiccups have been resolved and urged them to stop selling above regulated price.
“Currently the higher prices are from marketers selling their old stocks which were purchased before the new agreements were concluded with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL),” he said.
‘‘I can assure you they would sell at the regulated price of N169/N170 per litre once they get enough products from NNPCL.
“The situation is a case of surge whereby subsequently it will gradually stabilise, our members have started getting products from NNPCL, with time it will go round.
‘‘Distribution is not in our hands. Take for instance, if over 1,000 stations are not getting products and it gradually reduces to 500 stations, by the time they complete the 1,000 stations, the market, of necessity, will find itself.”
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Fuel queues to vanish completely
Okoronkwo expressed optimism Nigeria will no longer experience fuel scarcity from 2023 when all the logistics are expected to be in place, per Vanguard.
“NNPCL refinery will have its headquarters at Port Harcourt and the sufficiency of NNPCL will be enough for the country.
“Also with the existence of Dangote Refinery which will commence [production] next year, it will further reduce the issue of fuel crisis in the country.”
IPMAN says NNPC lying about reason for scarcity
Four weeks ago, IPMAN said there was no single litre of fuel in the depot of the NNPC, contrary to the claim of the regulator.
The NNPC had disclosed the latest transportation trauma of already weary citizens was not caused by shortage of petrol but by road repairs in Apapa from where much of the import is conveyed around the country.
NNPC Executive Vice President (Downstream) Adeyemi Adetunju explained in Abuja the chaos would ease as remediation efforts come into full effect.
“The recent queues in Lagos are largely due to ongoing road infrastructure projects around Apapa and access road challenges in some parts of Lagos depots.
“The gridlock is easing out and NNPC has programmed vessels and trucks to unconstrained depots and massive load outs from depots to various states are closely being monitored,” Adetunji said.
“Abuja is impacted by the challenges recorded in Lagos. NNPC retail and key marketers have intensified dedicated loading into Abuja to restore normalcy as soon as possible.
“We want to reassure all Nigerians that NNPC has sufficient products, and we significantly increased product loading, including 24-hour operations in selected depots and extended hours at strategic stations to ensure products sufficiency nationwide.’’
But IPMAN Mosinmi Depot Chairman Femi Adelaja put the blame for scarcity back on both Abuja and the NNPC for their failure to make petrol available to IPMAN members at affordable prices.
“Leadership of … IPMAN in Ogun State has noticed with serious concerns, the scarcity of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) commonly referred to as petrol across towns and cities in Ogun State, with its attendant hike in the dispensing price above the federal government stipulated price.
“Be informed that this crisis was not caused by … IPMAN, but rather, the Federal Government and the … NNPC, who have failed to make the product available for our members at affordable prices,” Adelaja said.