Independent oil marketers laud Corporation for adequate fuel supply at Christmas

dimeji akinloye

December 25, 2015 4:52 PM

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) on Friday commended the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) over its intervention to ensure adequate fuel supply.

Dr Ibe Kachikwu

Mr Mike Osatuyi, the National Operation Controller of IPMAN, gave the commendation in Lagos when he received 76, 000 litres of petrol in his Akute stations through the intervention scheme.

Osatuyi, who is also the Chairman, Nice Petroleum, said the scheme was to ensure total eradication of queues from fuel stations nationwide.

He said it was important for all IPMAN members to show-case what government was doing about special intervention petrol supply to marketers which came to stations at no extra cost.

According to him, the Federal Government, through NNPC/PPMC, should be lauded for these special schemes.

"The only way to ensure total eradication of queues in the country is when this intervention of petrol supply is sustainable.

"At my station, I was given two trucks of 76 million litres which payment will be remitted after sales,’’ he said.

Osatuyi, however, urged NNPC/PPMC to ensure sustainability of the product so that marketers could sell at approved price of N87 per litre.

He said the commitment of government in this regard was a clear demonstration of its readiness to partner with IPMAN on effective fuel distribution.

According to him, about 300 trucks had been loaded from Apapa private depot by members to various IPMAN outlets.

"I have also instructed my station manager to ensure 24-hour petrol sales until the product is exhausted, which is the mandate of the Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachwuchu.

Osatuyi, however, noted some challenges in the supply and distribution system that hamper efficient distribution of products across the country.

"This calls for effective monitoring of the supply system, especially at the end points, to ascertain that what is trucked out from the depots is delivered at the designated fuel stations and dispensed to the public in the most efficient manner,’’ he said.

Osatuyi advised NNPC officials to work toward achieving zero-queues at filling stations as soon as possible by providing the product for sales.

He urged government to ensure that the product was made available after the Christmas festivities for sustainability.

A NAN correspondent, who monitored the fuel situation in Lagos, reports that there were fewer queues observed at some filling station on Ikorodu road, Agege, Akute, Isolo and Bariga.

However, some stations were also found selling petrol above pump price at Ikorodu and Epe.

dimeji akinloye