By Sarah NEGEDU
The ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia is said to be responsible for the incessant fuel scarcity being experienced in the Federal Capital Territory in recent times.
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, said the conflict has disrupted the smooth distribution of petrol, also known as, Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, to major cities like Abuja and Lagos.
President of the association, Mr Chinedu Okoronkwo, told journalists that the distribution has led to inadequate supply of the product from the depots in Lagos.
He said marketers and transporters are now finding it difficult to bridge products to other parts of the country from the depots.
“The huge amount spent in running the diesel trucks to transport fuel is very discouraging because we are running at a loss,” he said.
“The current N165 per litre pump price for PMS cannot fit in into the present realities without the pricing template being reviewed.
“We appeal to the government to look into the situation by either reviewing the freight rate or providing palliatives to all marketers to restore normalcy to distribution.
“The palliative can be making diesel accessible for marketers at discounted rates so that we can easily transport products across the country.”
Okoronkwo commended the government for the bridging claims paid so far to marketers, adding that efforts should be made to clear the outstanding amounts.
