Mordi chukwunonso Esther Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, have urged Nigerians to get ready to buy petrol at N195 per litre as crude oil price continues to rise in the global market.
This was disclosed by Chief Executive Officer, Kankada oil and Gas limited, Danasabe Kakanda, while addressing journalists, weekend, in Abuja. Kakanda, accused the government of giving the private depot owners edge over independent marketers, said: “With the inconsistencies of government, Nigerians should expect the price of fuel to be between N190 to N195”.
Similarly, Chief Executive Officer of Foste Nigeria Limited, Chief Austin Erhabor, said: “It is time for them to separate politics from economics. Our business is dying. How can you be talking about deregulation and you are mentioning the official pump price.
“These private depot owners were not supposed to own filling stations. They were supposed to be in the middle between NNPC and the independent marketers. Is it fair for somebody that I am buying from, my competitor, I buy from you, you come and build station close to me, and you are the one that is supplying me, how can I sell? Because if you want me to die off the business, all you need to do is to supply to the level, you are selling to me in your depots.”
He added: “As we speak most of us have paid money to these depots without getting the product. And before your eyes, they are loading up their own trucks. These private depots are known.”
Furthermore, the former National Publicity Secretary of IPMAN, Dr. Emma Ihedigbo, added: “What we are saying in the effect is that we are crying out that, PPMC want to strangulate IPMAN members and all the businessmen dealing on petroleum products and we are no longer happy about it. And if nothing is done, we will come out and tell the world what is going on.”