The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, has called on the Federal Government to ensure that the three government-owned refineries in the country- Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries are working optimally to make products available for consumers in the country.
National President of IPMAN, Alhaji Abubakar Maigandi-Shettima made the call during his condolence visit to the Chairman of the Board of Trustee of IPMAN Port Harcourt Branch, Obasi Lawson who lost his driver and a member of the association in the hands of suspected kidnappers on their way returning to Port Harcourt from Abia State.
Maigandi-Shettima while interacting with journalist shortly after the visit said it is their expectations that the new management of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited, NNPCL, will ensure that the refineries begin to work effectively and efficiently.
He said the fluctuation in prices of petroleum products is as a result of the change of price between NNPCL and Dangote refinery on the lifting of the product.
The IPMAN National President while blaming regular increase in rate of dollar as responsible for the change in price of product, also revealed that total reliance on Dangote refinery for the purchase of products would equally affect the change in price.
He said: “We are happy with the new development because they have changed the management of NNPCL and we have seen alot of improvements especially selling crude oil to Dangote in naira, which has made the price of the product to start coming down and we expecting them to make sure that the Port Harcourt Refinery, Warri and Kaduna Refinery start functioning properly.”
Alhaji Maigandi-Shettima urged members of the public not to blame the marketers for the fluctuation in price but the source who have the power to regulate the price of product just as he expressed optimism that there is improvement in steps to reducing price of petroleum products.
“Marketers should not be blamed for price increase but the source of the product. If they get it at a high rate definitely they have to increase the price,” he added.
While warning against indulgence and patronising of adulterated products, Maigandi-Shettima emphasized that only the full functioning of the nation’s refineries would stop the practice.
“Illegal refining has serious issues that’s why we are recommending that let our refineries be functional so that they will refine legally in such a way that they won’t cause any hazards to humanity,” he added.
On his part, the Chairman of IPMAN in Rivers State, Tekena Ikpaki encouraged the people to stop panic buying, assuring that all modalities have been put in place to ensure adequate and steady supply of petrol across the state.
He also noted that marketers have been lifting products from the Port Harcourt Refinery since it’s commissioning.
Ikpaki joined his voice in calling for an end to illegal refining in the state, urging marketers to desist from patronising illegal refiners.
” It makes no sense if people keep engaging in illegal refining because the patronage is no longer there and anybody still patronising such product is not doing himself any good because the damages are not commensurate with the gains,” the Rivers IPMAN boss stated.
