Oil entrepreneurs say gas queues at petrol stations throughout the nation might persist if shoppers and motorists proceed to purchase the product at chosen petrol stations dropping the product beneath N200/l.
The Nationwide Controller of Operations, Unbiased Petroleum Entrepreneurs Affiliation of Nigeria, Mike Osatuyi, on Monday stated the lengthy queues at some petrol stations had been attributable to shoppers insisting on shopping for gas at cheaper stores.
“There may be gasoline within the nation. There isn’t any extra shortage, nevertheless, the lengthy queues you continue to see on the expressways are attributable to those that wish to purchase petrol at N180 per litre. In any other case, those that can afford a costlier product can simply drive to different stations and purchase with out ready in line,” he stated.
Our correspondent noticed lengthy queues at petrol stations belonging to members of the Affiliation of Main Petroleum Entrepreneurs of Nigeria and people of NNPCL alongside the Oshodi-Berger Expressway. Findings present that whereas NNPCL stations are promoting at N179 per litre, main oil entrepreneurs are promoting at N180 per litre. Nevertheless, fuel stations belonging to unbiased oil merchants nonetheless promote over N200/L.
In the meantime, The PUNCH on Monday obtained an inner memo from the President of IPMAN, Chinedu Okoronkwo, informing its over 30,000 members throughout the nation that the affiliation will not do enterprise with what it termed “NNPC Buyer Specific”.
As such, the physique has directed its members to register with “NNPC Retail” from January 1, 2023.
Whereas he additionally directed members to e-book their orders on the brand new platform, he assured members that companies that paid utilizing the earlier platform would obtain their merchandise.
Unbiased Oil Entrepreneurs in December 2022 reportedly signed an settlement with NNPCL’s new Normal Supervisor Retail, Hubba Stockman, to immediately provide petrol to IPMAN members at a government-regulated value of N148/litre, beginning this month.
NNPCL spokesperson, Garba Deeen, refused to speak in regards to the gas scarcity regardless of a number of calls and messages despatched to his official line and e-mail.