By Adedapo Adesanya
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has blamed the inadequate supply of petrol from the depots in Lagos for the fuel scarcity in Abuja.
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday, Mr Chinedu Okoronkwo, IPMAN’s President, said marketers and transporters are now finding it difficult to take products to other parts of the country from the depots because of running costs.
He explained that this is leading resurgence of queues at petrol stations in the nation’s federal capital territory and other parts of the country.
Mr Okoronkwo said the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine had disrupted the smooth distribution of petrol.
“The huge amount spent in running the diesel trucks to transport fuel is very discouraging because we are running at a loss.
“The current N165 per litre pump price for PMS cannot fit into the present realities without the pricing template being reviewed.
“We appeal to the government to look into the situation by either reviewing the freight rate or providing palliatives to all marketers to restore normalcy to distribution.
“The palliative can be making diesel accessible for marketers at discounted rates so that we can easily transport products across the country.” Mr Okoronkwo said.
IPMAN had recently threatened to stop transporting petroleum products within the Northwestern states of Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara and parts of Katsina state.
According to the IPMAN’s Zonal Chairman, Mr Yahya Kamba, the threat came following the Federal Government’s failure to settle its N40 billion outstanding payment to IPMAN members.
According to Mr Kamba, the payment is based on importation and transportation claims of up to 11 months, adding the Muhammadu Buhari-led government reneged on the agreement reached with the association.
