As the fuel scarcity crisis worsens nationwide, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) announced plans for an official meeting of its National Executive Council on Monday to tackle the issue head-on.
In an exclusive interview on Saturday, IPMAN’s National President, Hammed Fashola, emphasized the urgency of the meeting due to the persistent fuel scarcity despite recent interventions by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
Fashola revealed that the NNPC had already released reserves from all existing depots across the country on Friday to alleviate the long queues at fuel stations. Additionally, the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria confirmed the receipt and distribution of 300 million litres of fuel from eight vessels during the week.
Although significant quantities of fuel have been offloaded at various depots, Fashola stressed the need to evaluate the effectiveness of these measures during Monday’s meeting. He emphasized that IPMAN would continue to collaborate with the NNPC to address the scarcity and ensure adequate fuel supply nationwide.
The meeting’s agenda will include assessing the current situation, evaluating past interventions, and determining future strategies to mitigate the scarcity. Fashola urged the public to refrain from panic buying and assured that sustained collaboration between IPMAN and the NNPC would resolve the crisis.
Meanwhile, the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria also convened a meeting on Saturday to address the fuel scarcity issue. Dr. Billy Gilly-Harry, speaking on behalf of the association, emphasized the importance of preventing hoarding and ensuring equitable distribution of petroleum products, especially to rural areas.
Gilly-Harry highlighted the positive impact of collaborative efforts between oil marketers and the NNPC, noting significant improvements in fuel availability, particularly in Abuja. He expressed confidence that ongoing initiatives would lead to lasting solutions and urged stakeholders to work together towards a resolution.
