Blame NNPC, marketers for fuel scarcity ―PENGASSAN

Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has exonerated itself and blame the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation  (NNPC), Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria  (IPMAN ), Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria  (MOMAN) and Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria  (DAPPMA) for the prevailing energy crisis in Nigeria.

According to a statement by PENGASSAN National Publicity Officer, Comrade Fortune Obi, the labour centre said fuel scarcity was prevalent before it issued its 7-day strike ultimatum notice to the Federal Government.

“I wonder why people are blaming PENGASSAN for the current fuel scarcity in the country. The scarcity started two weeks before PENGASSAN issued a 7-day strike ultimatum notice on December 7.

“The problem of the government (federal) & IPMAN was preeminent when IPMAN threatened showdown with the government over irregular supply of petroleum products. Despite resolving the problem, the scarcity persists.

“Then PENGASSAN issued a strike notice, which did not even last for 14 hours before it was arrested and called off. Government and NNPC  assured that there is enough products to go round during the Yuletide season.

“Then why the scarcity? The real reasons was not examined but the scarcity has been blamed for wrong reasons.

“There is scarcity because marketers want petrol price to be increased. They have been arguing that the margin is not profitable and therefore seek increment which the government has been resisting and pegging at N145 per litre.”

He also stated that another reason for the persistent scarcity is the rivalry among IPMAN, MOMAN and DAPPMA over fuel allocation.

“The leadership controversy in IPMAN also contributes to scarcity. Hoarding by fuel station owners and panic buying by Nigerians are equally the huge reason for the scarcity,” he said.

He suggested the way forward by urging the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and other relevant government agencies to go out and enforce sales of products from fuel stations that are hoarding the product.

“Virtually all (filling) stations have petrol but they are not ready to sell so as to exploit the people,” he said.