Despite petrol scarcity scare, MOMAN says crisis ends this weekend
The fuel scarcity, it is believed, resulted from the failure of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to pay the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and other oil marketers outstanding bridging claims of more than N500bn.
Reacting to the scarcity which was first noticed in Abuja but has now extended to Nasarawa, Niger and Kogi states, the MOMAN ES told EnergyDay that the association has been instructed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), to ramp up fuel supply, to prevent an escalation of the PMS (Premium Motor Spirit) scarcity across the country.
He said that the association has begun supplying, in line with the NNPC’ s directive, and that the scarcity would fizzle out by weekend, given their current supply activities.
“I think it was just a slight hitch that would require some adjustments. And we are very hopeful that, by the end of this week, that would have been addressed,” he said.
“Yes, the NNPC has asked us to ramp up fuel supply. We are already implementing that, as we speak. I think over the weekend when we must have been through, everything will be fine,” he said.
EnergyDay in a recent publication, reported that the NMDPRA has paid part of the debt to the oil marketers.
NMDPRA on Thursday revealed that it has made payments of N43 billion to IPMAN and N15 billion as a part of the bridging claims.
EnergyDay had also reported that IPMAN, on Monday, warned the Government that Nigerians should expect an escalation of the fuel crisis unless the association is paid its N500bn worth of bridging claims.
Bashir Dan-Mallam, Kano IPMAN Chairman, had said during a press conference on Monday, “The resurfacing of fuel queues in Abuja is just the tip of the iceberg with regard to the petroleum scarcity.”
He stated that the failure of the NMDPRA to pay the outstanding bridging claims for about nine months had forced about 95% of oil marketers out of business due to lack of funds.
A member of IPMAN who spoke to EnergyDay, under the condition of anonymity, that the PMS scarcity will still spread to Lagos and other parts of the country as the oil marketers are not fully satisfied since the amount paid is too little when compared to the amount being owed.
