By: Barikui Felix, Port Harcourt.
The Federal Government has been urged by the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, or IPMAN, to make sure that the three government-owned refineries in the nation—Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna—are operating at their best in order to supply goods to the nation’s consumers.
During his condolence visit to IPMAN Port Harcourt Branch Chairman of the Board of Trustee Obasi Lawson, who lost both his driver and an association member to suspected kidnappers while returning to Port Harcourt from Abia State, IPMAN National President Alhaji Abubakar Maigandi-Shettima made the call.
Shortly after the visit, Maigandi-Shettima spoke to reporters and stated that they expect the new management of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) to make sure the refineries start operating effectively and efficiently.
According to him, the price difference between NNPCL and the Dangote refinery on the lifting of the product is what causes the price fluctuations of petroleum products.
The IPMAN National President acknowledged that a complete reliance on the Dangote refinery for product purchases would also have an impact on price changes, even though he blamed the regular increase in the dollar for the change.
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 encouraged the public to hold the source, not the marketers, accountable for price swings while also expressing hope that efforts to reduce the cost of petroleum products are making headway. Price increases should be attributed to the product’s manufacturer rather than marketers. They must undoubtedly raise the price if they obtain it at a high rate,” he continued.
While warning against indulgence and patronizing 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.
The head of Rivers IPMAN said, “It is absurd for people to continue illegal refining because the market is no longer there and anyone who continues to buy such a product is not benefiting themselves because the losses are not equal to the profits.”
