Fuel price rise imminent as IPMAN threaten strike

BY KUYINU FELIX

A proposed suspension of operations by oil marketers in reaction to alleged reneging of government petroleum products supply firm Nigerian National Petroleum Company may put spanner in the plans of Nigerians expecting a hitch-free Xmas.

The Independent Petroleum Marketers in Lagos State have threatened to withdraw their services as from December over NNPC’s breach of bulk purchase agreement to sell fuel to
them at N133.28k per litre.

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Lagos State Chapter, yesterday said it was set for a showdown with NNPC over irregular fuel supply at Ejigbo satellite depot which according to them serves over 900 filling stations in Lagos State.

The association said its members had been running their fuel stations at loss in the last eight months due to NNPC’s breach of the bulk purchase agreement it signed with them to sell fuel to its members at N133.28k per litre.

Now, a litre of petrol is being sold to IPMAN members by Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association (DAPMAN) at N141, apart from running costs, bank charges and other expenses, this made it impossible for IPMAN members to sell a litre of fuel at the controlled price of N145, but N146 per litre, while the NNPC had refused to sell fuel to its members regularly, the corporation is diverting the supplies to DAPMAN at a price of N117 per litre. DAPMAN in turn is selling to IPMAN members at N141 per litre,’’ the association said in statement signed by its state Chairman, Alhaji Alanamu Balogun, Vice Chairman, Mr Gbenga Ilupeju AND the Secretary, Mr Kunle Oyenuga.

IPMAN, therefore, called on President Muhammadu Buhari, the National Assembly, the Minister of Petroleum Resources, the Lagos State Governor and the security agencies to address the issue. The body also threatened to suspend services if all issues are not addressed.

If not, IPMAN members will withdraw their services and shut down all their stations in Lagos State.

We have endured enough and are set for a showdown with NNPC for irregular supply at Ejigbo satellite depot, Lagos,” it said.

The association said its members were in business for profit, using bank loans and would rather stop sales of fuel than to run into bank debts or at a loss. It noted that over 900 fuel stations were attached to Ejigbo satellite depot alone.