By; Mohammed Kawu, Bauchi.
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has thrown its weight behind the increase in petroleum price from N86.50 to N145, expressing optimism that the jerk up will solve the lingering fuel crisis in the country.
IPMAN Chairman in Bauchi State, Alhaji Rabiu Ahmed Baba told journalists in Bauchi that the over 70 per cent increment would also bring an end to the sufferings that Nigerians, including members of the association were going through as a result of the fuel crisis.
Baba also known as Arabab said, “We as a law abiding association are behind the federal government because the suffering has lingered on for too long”.
“Even for us it is a relief because selling it at the government price of N86.50 has been a huge sacrifice that we made that most Nigerians don’t understand because of the cost of sourcing it from government and the private depots”.
He added, “We have problems with buyers who do not know that IPMAN are going through tough times. We are really happy with the increment because government is elected to solve problems.
“We would have loved to sell even at N67, why not? But of course the most important thing is to get fuel available and on time to Nigerians”.
Baba appealed to Nigerians to understand the current predicament and support the federal government’s decision to increase the price of petrol, expressing hope that with the plans to fix the nation’s refinery and pipelines across the country, the suffering occasioned by the fuel scarcity would soon be a thing of the past.
“What the federal government did was a right step in the right direction and my appeal to Nigerians is to be patient and pray for the government to succeed. I believe that if the government removed subsidy, it will use the money to solve the problems bedeviling the country”.
The chairman cited example with gas, which price he said, has kept dropping because subsidy was removed. “So this current increase will stabilize the economy because for me, with time, it will attract investors because government’s control has been rolled back. It is a good development for our economy”.
