By Moses Patience Chat
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) on Tuesday said there has been lopsidedness in the distribution pattern of Premium Motor Spirit ( PMS), also known as petrol, stressing that this could worsen fuel scarcity and price disparity in retail outlets across the country.
Valuechain learnt that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), through its retail subsidiary, has not been supplying the exact number of trucks of fuel that was meant for independent marketers.
The National Public Relations Officer, IPMAN, Chief Ukadike Chinedu, also said that some private depots in Port Harcourt have fuel in stock but none has been delivered to independent marketers.
In his own words, “here in Port Harcourt, for instance, we have Oando and NNPC Retail, and they have products in some private depots. Masters Energy and Liquid Bulk also have products, but there is no volume for independent marketers.”
He added that “independent marketers have no volume in all these depots and we have over 3,400 tickets lying and waiting at the NNPC Retail account. This new system is now making independent marketers beg for petroleum products from NNPC Retail.
“It is until NNPC Retail has finished loading products to its own outlets before it would now attend to independent marketers. It has made the independent marketers the third tier in terms of the bulk distribution of petroleum products, which is very incorrect.”
Ukadike further explained that the recent lopsidedness in product distribution by NNPC Retail is the problem leading to scarcity and disparity in prices of fuel in retail outlets.
“We are now forced to go and buy products from retail outlets and some of these tank farm owners at a very exorbitant price,” he lamented.
Speaking on the issue, the National President, IPMAN, Debo Ahmed, said the situation at coastal depots was quite worrisome, and that downstream oil sector operators must act quickly in order to restore the depleted faith of independent marketers, especially at the Port Harcourt coastal depots.
According to him, “this is the right time to toss away the crutches of comfort and restore the hope and expectations of all independent marketers. It is important we started our protest as soon as possible.
“This is important so that Nigerians will know what is going on with us and the new retail. The lopsided distribution pattern will continue to caus