Petrol Scarcity: IPMAN Voices Concerns for the Nation

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association (IPMAN) has expressed concern over the present petrol scarcity across the country.
Ukadike Chinedu, IPMAN’s Publicity Secretary, stated that private marketers, like residents, are suffering as a result of the present petrol crisis.
Ukadike said IPMAN was concerned that, despite the good circumstances at the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries, the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited has yet to begin refining crude oil to address the recurring fuel scarcity.

In an interview with Arise TV on Monday, IPMAN’s press secretary stated that marketers expect President Bola Tinubu to adopt the president’s advise on refineries.

Ukadike stated that only if the refineries begin operations will the country’s petrol scarcity be addressed.

He stated, “I know there was a broadcast or a news brief that the president of IPMAN, Abubakar Maigandi, opined that President Bola Tinubu should declare a state of emergency in our refineries and give the refinery MDs and those in charge of that refinery 30 days to ensure that production begins.

“That is the only solution to Nigeria’s persistent epileptic scarcity. If our refinery and the four refineries are operating at ideal levels, their dates have been shifted. I’m not sure if it’s political, logistical, or technological, but I’ve personally visited the refinery.

A lot of work has been accomplished. They did an excellent job. The refinery is almost spanking new.”Ukadike stated that IPMAN was aware that the federal government had delivered 1 million barrels of crude oil to the PortHarcour and Warri refineries to ensure that production could begin.

Marketers are paying up to ₦50 million due to a constraint of petrol supply, according to the speaker.

“And I was wondering what was going on, and I learned that the federal government had also delivered 1 million barrels of crude oil to the Port Harcourt refinery. And if all of this is happening and the refineries are set to start, I believe the president should travel to that refinery because the minister has gone there.

“I’ve heard that the Warri refinery has been completed and turned over to the NNPC by the contractors. What keeps it in place? The country is struggling.

We, the businessmen and independent marketers, are hurting. We cannot invest heavily in filling stations if we do not have a product to offer.
“Our principal business is to sell fuel to commuters, store fuel for customers, and provide various services. We can’t even pay salaries right now. The high cost of purchasing petroleum products might lead to high blood pressure since many individuals struggle to save enough money to purchase products worth ₦8 million. Ukadike stated that the current purchase price ranges between ₦40 million and ₦50 million.