The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), has threatened to stop supplying petroleum products to Kaduna following the action of the Kaduna State Government, Department for Petroleum Resources (DPR) and the National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for distributing their fuel free of charge over hoarding allegations.
Speaking with newsmen in Kaduna Tuesday, the National Public Relations Officer (PRO) of IPMAN, Alhaji Yakubu Suleiman, said it was inconsiderate for anyone to expect their members to go to independent marketers in Lagos and other places and source for fuel products at exorbitant prices and then sell same at government control prices.
He lamented that besides the high rate at which they purchased the product, they still spend money to transport the products down to Kaduna and so the government cannot force them to sell at government approved rate because they will be doing so at a loss.
“We (IPMAN) have already directed our members that from today they should not to go and buy fuel from any private depot and then come and sell in Kaduna State, because they will be doing so at a loss because they will either be compelled to sell at government price or made to lose the product to the public free of charge.
“Ironically, we are helping the government to boost fuel supply because the government have no enough fuel to supply since the refineries are not working.
“Our members have been urged to comply with this directive until we sit down with the state government and DPR to sort out the problem. We want to assist the government and people of Kaduna State, that is why our members go all out with our money to go and get this product anywhere and come and sell in Kaduna.
“Rather than getting thanks what we get in return is the sealing off of our stations and distributing our fuel free to the public without attempt to even find out why we are selling at high prices. So, we are halting our fuel supply to Kaduna State for now. Whenever government has the fuel, they should come and sell for us in our station, we will buy from them, ” he said.
The IPMAN Public Relations Officer called on Kaduna State government, DPR, NSCDC to sit down with its members like other states have been doing and negotiate on the price they should sell which would be agreeable to all sides.
He stressed the need for a synergy between them and relevant stakeholders as a way forward.
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