Fuel scarcity will soon be over, says IPMAN

Mr. Ukadike Chinedu, the publicity secretary, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), says the fuel scarcity will soon be resolved.

Chinedu told the newsmen that the scarcity was due to disruptions in the supply chain but added that fuel would become readily available in the coming weeks.

“The supply chain is dependent on the importation of petroleum products. However, the Federal Government has decided to cease imports and instead patronise Dangote. It is also advising marketers to buy from him.

“Now, Dangote is reliably supplying the petroleum and other crude oil products,” he said.

Chinedu said that other reasons for the scarcity include documentation and logistics problems, among others.

He noted that Dangote had already supplied 300 trucks and continued to provide products to Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. (NNPCL).

Chinedu further said that using vessels to supply coastal areas would reduce the heavy reliance on trucks for transportation.

“This will help to reduce road accidents, long-distance trucking, and lower prices.

“So, we are trying to conclude the arrangement of sending through vessels to coastal areas, which will ease road congestion caused by trucks.

“All these things cause a little drift in the supply chain. In a little time, all these will be fixed,” he said.

Chinedu said that the NNPCL had resumed supply and that major marketers were purchasing products.

According to him, independent marketers are also working to finalise their arrangements with Dangote to begin buying directly.

He explained that it was important for Dangote to sell directly to independent marketers to minimise the involvement of middlemen in the distribution chain.

Chinedu added that IPMAN would no longer rely on competitors for its fuel supply.

The publicity secretary said that IPMAN had unveiled its website, Ipman.ng.com, to allow marketers to pay online and access petroleum products.

He noted that the system would streamline IPMAN’s operations and enhance its role in product distribution.

Chinedu revealed that the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) had promised to pay marketers N10 billion as part of the outstanding claims from the Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF).

Chinedu said that marketers were hopeful that the payment would be disbursed soon.

“We have confidence in the authority of NMDPRA. It has also agreed and promised to give IPMAN a bulk purchase agreement with Dangote,” he stressed.

Chinedu said that once discussions had been concluded, the fuel supply would be stabilised across the country.