The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Western Zone, has blamed the hike in private depot prices for the increase in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit, otherwise known as fuel, that has led to the scarcity of the commodity.
This was disclosed to NAN by Alhaji Dele Tajudeen, Chairman, IPMAN Western Wone, on Tuesday in Lagos.
Tajudeen lamented the increase in depot price of fuel from N148.17 per litre to N178 per litre since last week.
He revealed that private depots took advantage of the lack of the product by non of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPC) depots.
IPMAN Chairman:
“The only option for our members is to opted for private depots to keep our business moving.
“We are totally against the increase because it will affect our profit margins and the masses.
“Some private depots who have product, deliberately, refused to sell for reasons best known them,” he said.
The IPMAN chairman blamed the private depots for “selling at N170 per litre,” adding that the price was “not realistic”.
He said, “Therefore, our members have no other option than to sell between N195 and N200 per litre within Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states, while we will sell between N200 and N210 in Kwara, Ondo, Osun and Ekiti states.
“Most of the tank farm owners have justified this increase because of different charges, among which is vessels charges paid in dollars.
“We are equally calling on the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. (NNPC) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to investigate the arbitrary increase in fuel price by the private depot owners.
However, a top official of the Depot and Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPMAN), who preferred to be anonymous, told NAN that the scarcity was as a result of shortfall in product allocation from the NNPC.
Nigerians lament fuel scarcity
Meanwhile, Nigerians have expressed their displeasure at the situation which they believe will add to the hardship they have been facing.
Nollywood actress, Kate Henshaw, identified on Twitter as @HenshawKate, said, “Mehn the fuel queue this morning na die! Yesterday own was not as bad. Policemen trying to keep order but this guy just shunt enter queue, he was even threatened with a gun, he still refused!! Air taken out of his tyre, still he kept pushing the car in the queue..
Another Twitter user, @jagganiyu, said, “Another fuel scarcity. Why won’t we have fuel scarcity when our oil is being stolen indiscriminately? This APC government has had the most fuel scarcities. Just a government of failures.”
@OlisaOsega said, “Fuel scarcity is looming. Transport fare is about to triple in Lagos becos bus drivers are threatening strike action because of constant extortion by agberos. Rice is now N45,000 per bag. No light. This APC government keep making life unbearable for us. The suffering is too much.”
@Tee_Classiquem1 said, “I really don’t understand this news of fuel scarcity again, didn’t NNPC said they have fuel in abundance that can serve us for 3 years without interruption few months ago? What is going on please?”
