DPR warns defiant petroleum marketers in A/Ibom

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DPR warns defiant petroleum marketers in A/Ibom
By: Patrick Titus, Uyo
The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Eket office said sanction awaits Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), who refused to comply with new pump price of N86.50 per litre.
DPR’s Controller Operation in charge of Akwa Ibom and Cross River, Mr. Bassey Nkanga stated this at the DPR/IPMAN meeting in Eket, Akwa Ibom.
Nkanga said that the era of impunity in the sector was over and pleaded with Independent marketers in the state to comply with government directive in their own interest.
He noted that Akwa Ibom has the highest number of filling stations in the country with cases of pump dispensing inefficiency, hoarding and diversion of products among other illegalities.
“I am pleading with all of us here that things have changed, the era of impunity is gone and government is serious about selling petroleum products at approved pump price. I want to plead that you have made so much money in the past, especially during scarcity. Now is time for everybody to comply with federal government directives,’’ he stressed.
He lamented that 50 percent of filling stations in Akwa Ibom are operating with DPR’s valid license but observed that marketers in the state were few among states in the country dispensing fuel far above regulated prices.
“Government will not tolerate any longer anybody selling petroleum products above pump price irrespective of whatever story anybody has. The stand of government is that if you know you cannot make profit for selling at N86.50 per litre please don’t sell,’’ he explained.
He warned marketers to desist from sharp practices to enable the government achieve its objectives.
He urged those who find it difficult to comply with government’s position to have a change of behaviour as government would not tolerate lawlessness in the system.
Reacting, Mr. Nseobong Umanah, Chairman of IPMAN in the state, blamed the situation on the activities of the private depot owners in Calabar.
He explained that it was difficult to buy the products above N77.66 ex-depot price and dispense it at regulated prices at the retail outlets.
The IPMAN Chairman promised to cooperate with the Federal Government in providing the needed services to the people.

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