IPMAN Raises Alarm Over Looming Fuel Scarcity

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, has said the 78 percent import allocation granted the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has caused a disruption in the distribution of petroleum products, leading to scarcity within the Lagos metropolis

As such, IPMAN has called on the Corporation to step up import of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) also known as petrol to avert another round of scarcity.

National Operations Controller of IPMAN, Mike Osatuyi, said that the fuel situation has been fragile since the NNPC assumed the role of the sole importer of petrol.

“There is supply gap over a period of time now, the NNPC imports 78 percent of the petrol needs of the country. I can only say you should tell them to improve on imports.

They have access to forex because they do the SWAP deal and therefore, are not constrained by the challenge. But for marketers, it is difficult to source the Dollar and therefore not profitable to import under present condition”, he said.

But, NNPC has said the hitch in the petroleum distribution chain in Lagos was as a result of the leadership tussle between the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) union and the national leadership of PTD.

The Corporation in a statement by its Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs, Ohi Alegbe,said that, the management of its midstream subsidiary, the Pipeline and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) has intervened in the dispute and that normalcy will soon be restored.