The Department of Petroleum Resources(DPR) on Tuesday said it would henceforth not allow a situation whereby supply of petrol was dictated by private interests of marketers and dealers to the detriment of the Nigerian public.
Mr Danteni Ladan, the Acting Director of the department said this during an emergency meeting with stakeholders in the industry in Lagos.
He was represented by Mr Alphonsus Mudei, the Deputy Director of Downstream Sector of the department.
Ladan said that the nation, in the last few months, had experienced epileptic supply of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) which had reflected in the sale of the product above official pump price.
He said that there was evidence to buttress this and the trend was unacceptable.
“In the last few months, the nation has experienced epileptic supply of PMS which has reflected in the sale of this product above official pump price.
“We have evidence to evidence to buttress this.
“We find this trend unacceptable given that marketers with whom we have constantly interacted with have benefited from the Petroleum Support Fund (PSF).
“This PSF has enabled marketers to operate their businesses at a level that should guarantee constant and uninterrupted supply of products.
“Our interaction with your good selves has been quite cordial and collaborative in ensuring uninterrupted supply of petroleum in particular, to the Nigerian public at government approved price.
“However, some marketers have consistently flouted government’s directives by selling above ex-depot price which in turn translates to higher prices at the pump,” he said.
The director said that the meeting was convened to reiterate the resolve of the department not to allow a situation whereby the supply would be dictated by the private interest of marketers.
He said that the department will not condone any act of selling PMS above the official pump price in government licensed facilities under any guise whatsoever.
“We therefore once more caution those of you who still engage in the practice of selling petroleum and kerosene above government stipulated prices.
“We also caution those who engage in the acts of hoarding of these products to desist from it in the interest of the public, the economy and your petroleum business,” he warned.
Responding, Mr Kunle Bamigboye, the Vice-Chairman, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) said that the supply from NNPC depots was not enough.
Bamigboye said that out four depots owned by NNPC, only Monsinmi depot was loading and it was skeletal.
He said that if marketers were getting the products regularly from NNPC depots, then they would be selling the products according to official pump price.
The vice-chairman urged the management of DPR to investigate the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMA) depots to find out the amount they were buying the products.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the officials of DAPPMA and MOMAN were not represented at the meeting. (NAN)
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