Covid-19: IPMAN restates commitment to steady fuel supply

Chinazor Megbolu

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has restated its commitment towards steady supply of petroleum products during the lockdown period over Covid-19 pandemic.

The leadership of the association on Thursday said arrangements to sustain the supply and distribution of petroleum products across Nigeria is settled.

Speaking after an emergency meeting with members, the Chairman, IPMAN, Kano chapter, Alhaji Bashir Danmallam said the union was duty-bound to rise to the occasion and contribute their own quota towards fighting against the deadly pandemic.

“In consideration of the pivotal role petroleum products play as the engine room of the economy, IPMAN as an essential service provider would keep all its outlets open for business to lessen the impact of the restrictions placed on people and businesses.

“We urge the government to continue to open all access to petroleum products for lifting to marketers.

“IPMAN also enjoined the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Directorate of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Petroleum Product Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF) and other relevant stakeholders in the downstream sector of the industry to complement government efforts in facilitating smooth and efficient unbroken chain of supply and distribution of products seamlessly,” he said.

Recently, the IPMAN, recently lauded the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government’s decision to review downward the pump price of the Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, from N145 to N130 and later N125.

The National president, Alhaji Abubakar Fari, said the development will help reduce the suffering of the poor.

“We are grateful to President Muhammadu Buhari for approving the reduction. It will help in alleviating some burden on the masses.

“We equally thank the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva for his prompt advice to federal government on the need to lower the price of PMS in line with the falling price of crude oil in the international market.

“We also express our profound gratitude to the Group Managing Director, GMD, office NNPC, Mele Kyari for his immediate response and directives to retailers.

“We shall abide by the new PMS price regime but we are only asking the federal government through the DPR, and other relevant agencies to allow independent marketers to exhaust their old stock at the shortest possible time to avert imminent collapse of our investment due to anticipated losses,” he said.

Editing by ‘Biodun Soyele