As Nigerians grapple with fuel scarcity, the specter of losing operating licenses looms over more than 9,000 oil marketers. The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) is urging the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to extend its final licensing renewal deadline to July.
Additionally, it’s appealing to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to release 9,000 already processed licenses to its members.
Chief Chinedu Ukadike, the National Public Relations Officer of IPMAN, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “We, therefore, use this opportunity to appeal to the management of the NMDPRA and NNPC Retail Limited to respectively release the processed licenses and extend the deadline for delisting of marketers from their express portals.”
The association’s request for an extension comes amidst a backdrop of slow license renewal processes, exacerbating the already strained fuel supply situation. The NNPCL had initially set a deadline of April 15, 2024, for marketers to renew their licenses or risk closure of access to customer express portals for petroleum product purchases from NNPC Retail Limited.
However, IPMAN is advocating for an extension to enable marketers to reconcile their licenses and alleviate panic buying among the public.
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In a telephone interview, Ukadike reiterated IPMAN’s appeal for an extension, underscoring the need to prevent undue closures and ease tensions surrounding the fuel scarcity. Meanwhile, the NMDPRA South-West Regional Coordinator, Ayo Cardoso, assured that the authority would consider the request and act accordingly, demonstrating a willingness to address the concerns raised by oil marketers.
Amidst the ongoing fuel crisis, IPMAN had previously threatened to shut down the 30,000 stations operated by its members nationwide if the Federal Government failed to pay the N200bn owed to marketers.
This announcement emphsised the financial strain faced by oil marketers, exacerbated by the NMDPRA’s delay in settling outstanding debts dating back to September 2022.
The persistent fuel scarcity has led to escalating challenges for consumers, particularly commercial drivers who rely on petrol for their livelihoods. In Abeokuta, Ogun State, commercial drivers have resorted to vigilante tactics, camping out at fuel stations in a desperate bid to secure petrol supplies.
Despite promises from the government regarding emergency fuel supply measures, residents continue to face difficulties accessing petrol, forcing many to patronize black market vendors selling petrol at exorbitant prices.
The fuel scarcity has also become a lucrative opportunity for black market operators, with reports of widespread selling of petrol in jerry cans at inflated prices. Young boys and girls have been observed selling fuel along various roadsides, capitalizing on the shortage to make a profit. However, this underground market poses risks to consumers and contributes to further inflationary pressures.
As queues persist at filling stations across the country, concerns mount over the potential loss of income and livelihoods for Nigerians. The uncertainty surrounding the fuel crisis underscores the need for swift and decisive action from government authorities to address the root causes and ensure stable fuel supply nationwide. Failure to do so risks further exacerbating economic hardships for citizens already grappling with inflationary pressures and rising living costs.