By Aniemeka Chiamaka Rejoice (Umunna TV)
Due to the enforcement of N195/litre pump price, independent marketers of petrol are getting set to shut down operations beginning from monday 6th February 2023.
Reportedly, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, security agencies and the downstream regulator had all agreed that petrol be sold at N195/litre on Saturday 4th of February. Meanwhile independent marketers, described thus development as tough due to the high ex-depot price of the commodity and to avoid sectioning of their outlets, they rather shutdown on Monday. Although this is likely to excalate long queues and fuel scarcity seeing that independent marketers control about 80 percent of fuel nations across the country.
Speaking on the new development, IPMAN’s National President, Debo Ahmed, revealed that the approved ex-depot price of petrol was recently raised from N148/litre by the NNPCL to N172/litre, but depots hardly dispense the commodity at this cost. Also reacting to the notice to members issued by the Public Relations Officer, IPMAN Ibadan Depot branch, Mojeed Adesope, pointed that marketers were advised to sell the product in stock now before the enforcement begins on Monday.
In the memo, which was sighted on Saturday, Adesope said, “The top management of NNPC, other relevant authorities in the downstream sector of the economy as well as all the security agents in the country met at on Tuesday, January 31, 2023 to begin the enforcement of pump price of PMS at N195/litre at all the filling stations across the country with Immediate effect.
“Towards that end, enforcement will commence effective from Monday, February 6, 2023 to enable you to dispose of all your remaining stock on or before the enforcement date.
“Members are hereby implored not to purchase products that they would not be able to dispense at N195/litre. The above information should be given wider spread/circulation in order not to get any member caught unawares. You are strongly advised to heed this information.”
Responding to the memo, Ahmed said: “The information is in order, because the depots that the NNPC gives products to are selling at a higher price, and IPMAN members will not like to leave their stations idle. And to avoid sanctions, it is better to close your station.
“So what is going to happen in essence is that marketers have to buy products using the NNPCL loading tickets, and if they don’t have the tickets, all they have to do is to close down their stations. You have to buy from the NNPCL in order to sell at the government regulated price.”
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