Fuel scarcity: Oil marketers threaten strike in Lagos

IPMAN to go on strike from December 11.

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) of Lagos State Chapter has threatened to embark on strike from December 11, over alleged breach of agreement by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

This was revealed on Wednesday, in a statement released by the state chairman of IPMAN, Alanamu Balogun.

Balogun said that in the last eight months, members have been running their fuel stations at a loss due to NNPC’s default in the bulk purchase agreement, adding that the NNPC has defaulted in the agreement to sell fuel to them at N133.28 per litre.

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“Now, a litre of petrol is being sold to IPMAN members by Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association (DAPMAN) at N141, apart from running costs, bank charges and other expenses,” he said.

He added, “This made it impossible for IPMAN members to sell a litre of fuel at the controlled price of N145, but N146 per litre.

“While the NNPC had refused to sell fuel to its members regularly, the corporation is diverting the supplies to DAPMAN at a price of N117 per litre. DAPMAN in turn is selling to IPMAN members at N141 per litre.”

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The marketers therefore, threatened to shut down their services if nothing is done to resolve the matter.

“If not, IPMAN members will withdraw their services and shut down all their stations in Lagos state.

“We have endured enough and are set for a showdown with NNPC for irregular supply at Ejigbo satellite depot,” Balogun said.

IPMAN called on President Muhammadu Buhari, the ministry of petroleum resources and other relevant stakeholders to swing into action.