NNPC, IPMAN fix 24-hour service to end scarcity

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) have agreed to a 24-hour service to end fuel scarcity.

Ibe Kachikwu, general managing director of the NNPC, set up a 14-man committee to invite all stakeholders within the IPMAN hierarchy “to bring back peace to the association at the national, zonal and depot levels”.

He noted that as critical stakeholders in the downstream sector, the contribution of IPMAN is crucial in the drive to end the prevailing fuel supply situation across the nation.

The minister asked IPMAN to work with relevant government agencies such as the NNPC, DPR and other stakeholders to ensure that the prevailing fuel scarcity “becomes a thing of the past as quickly as possible”.

Danladi Pasali, the national secretary of IPMAN, expressed readiness to assist in quelling the fuel crisis in the country within the next two weeks.

“In the spirit of reconciliation and patriotism, we have resolved to forget our differences and work together towards providing products to our various stations across the country in order to ease the hardship on Nigerians,” he said.

Pasali added that IPMAN, which controls a massive chunk of the market share in the nation’s downstream sector, will “mandate its stations to operate a 24-hour service in order to ease the hardship on Nigerians”.

Augustine Erhabor, another top IPMAN executive commended Kachikwu for his efforts towards bringing lasting peace to the association, describing it as “a new dawn in IPMAN”.

Erhabor said IPMAN will set up teams to monitor products distribution and deliveries at all their outlets nationwide, assuring that all members will sell at government approved price to Nigerians.

In a statement by Garba Deen Muhammad, group general manager, NNPC public affairs division, the group said it would facilitate “quick loading of about 7, 000 outstanding products tickets for onward dispensing into the hinterland across the country”.