Fakoyejo Olalekan
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has faulted Nigerians for the long queues at filling stations across the country.
According to the National Operations Controller of IPMAN, Mike Osatuyi, there’s no fuel scarcity in the country. He said queues resurfaced because Nigerians chose to buy fuel at filling stations selling at a cheaper price.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelOsatuyi explained that motorists and other fuel consumers avoid retailers selling petrol above N180 per litre, as a result, the filling stations selling at lower prices are overwhelmed.
It was gathered that filling stations belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), and independent petroleum marketers sell at different prices.
The independent petroleum marketers sell at over N200 per litre, NNPC retail stations sell at N179 per litre, and major oil marketers sell at N180 per litre.
As a result, motorists and other fuel consumers patronise filling stations offering the lowest price. Osatuyi said this is the reason for the long queues experienced at retail stations.
“There is petrol in the country. No more scarcity, however, the long queues you still see on the expressways are caused by those who want to buy petrol at N180 per litre.
“Otherwise, those who can afford the more expensive product can easily drive into other stations and buy without queuing up,” Osatuyi told Punch in a report on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has asked that the Federal Government make the pump prices N180 per litre at filling stations.
Also, the union spoke against the removal of fuel subsidy without the country refining its own product, stating that some politicians want the subsidy removed, but want to continue importing the product at exorbitant prices.
“The TUC rejects the clamour by some politicians and political office holders to continue the importation of petroleum products at prohibitive costs while simultaneously, campaigning and making moves to stop fuel subsidy. Politicians who love Nigerians would first return the country to local refining thereby creating mass jobs and making the products cheap, accessible and available before contemplating the removal of fuel subsidies.
“We also demand that the Buhari government ensures that PMS is available and sold at the official pump price in fuel stations. The emergent culture of selling such highly inflammable commodities in jerry cans on street corners and residential houses must be stopped,” TUC stated.
