As the fuel scarcity crisis continues to plague Nigeria, more than 9,000 oil marketers are at risk of losing their operating licenses, prompting them to seek the intervention of the Federal Government.
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) is urgently appealing to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to extend the deadline for licensing renewal until July. They are also requesting the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to release the already processed licenses for its members.
In a press release issued on Thursday in Abuja, Chief Chinedu Ukadike, the National Public Relations Officer of IPMAN, highlighted the association’s concerns regarding the slow pace of license renewals by the NMDPRA. The NNPCL had set a deadline of April 15, 2024, for marketers to renew their licenses, warning that failure to do so would result in the closure of their customer express portals for purchasing petroleum products from NNPC Retail Limited.
IPMAN is urging for an extension of the deadline, citing the need for marketers to reconcile their licenses and reduce panic buying by the public, which is exacerbating the current scarcity of petroleum products. The association emphasizes that over 9,000 licenses have already been processed out of the expected 15,000 within the given timeframe. Marketers are rushing to complete the licensing process to avoid being locked out of the customer express portals for purchasing petroleum products.
IPMAN is appealing to both the NMDPRA and NNPC Retail Limited to release the processed licenses and extend the deadline for delisting marketers from the express portals. They believe that granting this request will alleviate the tension surrounding panic buying and help alleviate the fuel scarcity situation.
In response to IPMAN’s plea, Ayo Cardoso, the NMDPRA South-West Regional Coordinator, stated that they would review the request and take appropriate action.
It should be noted that IPMAN had previously threatened to shut down the 30,000 stations operated by its members nationwide if the Federal Government failed to settle the N200 billion owed to marketers. Specifically, IPMAN highlighted the non-payment of marketers’ bridging claims by the NMDPRA, which has been accumulating since September 2022.
Fuel scarcity persists, causing inconvenience and increased costs for Nigerians. In Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State, commercial drivers have resorted to keeping vigil at fuel stations in an effort to secure fuel. The Federal Government has announced a 15-day emergency fuel supply plan and assured that vessels importing Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) will continue to discharge petrol to depots for distribution to filling stations. However, the product remains unavailable to residents, leading to higher transport fares and an increased reliance on black market sales.
Commercial drivers have reported purchasing petrol from black market sellers at inflated prices, with some selling a liter of petrol for N1,200 or more. Motorists and residents in Lagos, Oyo, and other areas are also experiencing difficulties accessing fuel, with long queues observed at filling stations. The persistent fuel scarcity has become a lucrative opportunity for black market sellers, who advertise and sell fuel in jerry cans by the roadside.
As the fuel queues persist despite government assurances, concerns are growing over the potential economic impact and loss of income for Nigerians.
