Fuel scarcity looms as marketers ask FG to pay N500 billion bridging claims
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has asked the federal government to pay marketers their bridging claims to enable them to begin lifting petroleum products from the depots.
IPMAN spokesperson, Yakubu Suleiman, in a telephone interview on Tuesday in Abuja, warned of the possibility of fuel scarcity should the federal government fail to pay the money owed to the association.
“There is no money to buy the product until the federal government pays our claims and assists in allocating a cargo of AGO to us to hasten loading from various loading deports,” Mr Suleiman said.
He also urged the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to convert the special allocation of products meant for cargo to IPMAN to address the current fuel shortage in the country quickly.
“We are calling on the authorities and the NNPC to quickly allocate a specific cargo of AGO for IPMAN to distribute it to their members to enable them to fuel their trucks for accelerated bridging loading.”
Reacting to the claims by IPMAN, an official of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), who spoke under condition of anonymity, said the federal government had been paying the marketers, though in batches.
In a news conference, IPMAN had urged Nigerians to prepare for the worst fuel crisis unless the federal government prevails on NMDPRA to pay its members their outstanding bridging claims amounting to N500 billion.
Most filling stations in Abuja were shut down at the weekend following the scarcity of petrol, resulting in long queues.
However, the NNPC attributed the sudden appearance of fuel queues in parts of Abuja to low load-outs at depots.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
World
British PM, cabinet members behaving like ostriches, ignoring looming energy crisis, says Kemi Badenoch
The UK Conservative Party leader said the solution for UK “is simple: Drill our own oil and gas in the North Sea.”
States
Residents beg FG to fix collapsed Iseyin-Abeokuta road
Mr Alaba said that the road had shown signs of failure about six years ago before it finally collapsed.
Politics
2027: North-Central youths back Tinubu’s re-election bid
The North-Central Renewed Hope Youth Vanguard endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term.
Heading 2
Tinubu applauds INEC on by-elections in four states, congratulates winners
Mr Tinubu also commended voters and security agencies for maintaining peace and order during the elections.
States
Sultan Foundation trains 200 mobilisers, targets 80,000 zero-dose children for immunisation in Zamfara
The project is being funded by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, supported by Mannion Daniels.
Heading 5
Crisis hits Obi-Kwankwaso campaign as OK Movement, NDC fight over structure
National secretary Saadatu Sani called on the NDC national chairman to withdraw statements considered defamatory and apologise to the OK Movement and Mr Ughulu.
