- Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) Mosimi Depot in Ogun State requested NNPCL to supply petroleum products to members
- The Association attributed fuel scarcity in the South West to NNPCL’s refusal to deliver products to IPMAN members, despite payments being made three months ago
- IPMAN called on the federal government and key oil sector players to intervene and resolve the issue of withheld petroleum products
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) Mosimi Depot in Ogun State requested on Tuesday, August 20, for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) to supply petroleum products totalling N75.142 billion, with payments having been completed by its members since June.
During a press briefing in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, IPMAN Mosimi Depot Chairman Otunba Femi Adelaja stated that his members have already deposited N75.142 billion with the corporation for supplies through the Lagos Private Depot Owners (PDO) since June, but NNPCL has not made the products available.
NNPCL is the cause of fuel scarcity - Adelaja
“As I speak with you, we are surprised to see that the NNPC would not give us any supply, rather, the corporation has been busy using our deposits to run business for their various Mega Stations. They have refused to acknowledge that our businesses have been surviving on bank loans, which would charge interest on whatever amount is released to each IPMAN member,” Adelaja stated.
The Association claimed that the ongoing fuel scarcity in the South West region is attributed to the NNPCL management's refusal to supply petroleum products to its members, despite payments being made three months ago.
Adelaja criticises NNPCL for using IPMAN’s deposits to support other marketers
Adelaja criticised the delay in receiving products from NNPCL, noting that despite the payment being made three months ago, the corporation's management has used IPMAN’s deposit to cater to the needs of other marketers, neglecting IPMAN members who are dependent on bank loans for their businesses.
He further said it is distressing to see the corporation use his members' deposits to supply Total, OANDO, and Ardova, who subsequently sell to a limited clientele, resulting in higher public prices.
IPMAN appeals for intervention
In light of the situation, IPMAN Mosimi Depot appealed to all patriotic Nigerians to help pressure NNPCL’s management to resolve the situation, or risk seeing the corporation succeed in pushing its members out of the industry.
The organisation also appealed to the federal government and other major players in the oil sector to intervene with NNPCL management, urging them to end the withholding of petroleum products and reduce the difficulties experienced by the public.
NNPC shifts its focus to CNG, reduces interest in Dangote refinery
Meanwhile, TheRadar previously reported that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited had confirmed that it scaled back its interest in the Dangote Petroleum Refinery from 20% to 7.2%, reallocating resources to invest in compressed natural gas (CNG).
NNPC spokesperson Femi Soneye pointed out that CNG represented a budget-friendly choice choice for Nigerians, adding, “Switching to CNG will save Nigerians money.”