Petrol marketers are to blame for the ongoing product shortage and the fluctuating pump price, according to oil workers speaking yesterday under the banner of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).
The group accused the marketers of attempting to compel a rise in the pump price of gasoline above the ceiling set by the Federal Government rejected a scenario in which non-state actors assumed control over the litre price of gasoline much above the limits set by the government.
Nigerians have been struggling for weeks to purchase gasoline at gas stations, particularly those that are members of the Independent Petrol Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), where products can cost as much as N300 per litre.
PENGASSAN In his remarks yesterday at the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the association in Abuja, President Festus Osifo said it was troubling that the Federal Government was also showing a high level of complicity in the unhealthy situation by remaining silent and refusing to directly and openly address the traumatic experiences of Nigerians.
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“The ongoing shortage of fuel has become a source of agony for the Nigerian people as the current shortages are being maintained by operators in the downstream sector in order to boost the price well over the government-approved threshold,” stated the PENGASSAN president.
“It is an added problem when non-state actors begin to arrogate to themselves the power to determine the price of a liter of fuel far above the rate pegged by the government in the current subsidy regime.
“It is more disturbing that the government is equally demonstrating high level of culpability in the unwholesome situation by its silence and unwillingness to frontally and publicly address the harrowing experiences of Nigerians in the current situation, because no concerned and responsive government will bury its head in the sands like the proverbial Ostrich while the citizens are being brutally exploited.”
“We demand that the various security agencies, especially the men of NCS and NIS charged with manning the nation’s borders, act professionally and in dictates to their oaths of allegiances to stop high rate of smuggling of the products across the West African countries.
“The various depots and other storage facilities, especially those owned and operated by the NNPC, should be upgraded and made accessible to all operators to lift the product.
“Consequently, we demand an immediate end to the avoidable, unnecessary, crippling and pain-inducing fuel shortages and unapproved price hike in the country. No excuse is good enough to cripple the country. If there are challenges, they should be fixed; we have a government in power to fix challenges, not to make excuses.
“We are ready and willing to collaborate with the Federal Government and assist in all ways possible to overcome the country’s present challenges. But we caution it not to take the Nigerian people for granted as it seems to be manifestly doing on various crucial national issues.”
The PENGASSAN chief also requested that individuals detained in connection with the oil theft be prosecuted and made to bear the penalties if found guilty.
He asked the administration to continue its existing efforts to repair the damaged pipeline and boost crude oil production.
According to Mr. Mike Osatuyi, National Operations Controller for IPMAN, markets do not intend to shut down their stations as has been suggested.
He claims that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL) has committed to supplying IPMAN members directly going forward at the official ex-depot cost.
He claimed that the over 2,000 ticket backlog for IPMAN members was being eliminated.
“Nigerians should not engage in any panic buying as we are entering Christmas period. Our wide network nationwide makes us the perfect outlets to ensure sustained distribution of petroleum products across the country.”
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