The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, has expressed displeasure over false alarm of kerosene scarcity by some mischievous marketers and Nigerians. Briefing the press yesterday in Lagos after its National Executive Committee NEC meeting, the National Secretary of the union, Mr. Mike Osatuyi said that the National Executive Committee of IPMAN noted with dismay a publication by some mischievous Nigerians calling for the removal of the leadership of Pipeline and Product Marketing Company, PPMC. The IPMAN scribe said that the union had investigated and confirmed that the mischievous Nigerians are paid agents planning to disrupt the serenity we have been enjoying for some period in the downstream sector. According to Osatuyi, “IPMAN controls over 85 per cent of Nigeria’s petroleum products retailing, which makes our association a dominant player in the Nigerian downstream market. “IPMAN is in a vintage position to talk authoritatively on the petroleum products supply and retailing chain in Nigeria. “Nigeria has been enjoying consistent supply of petroleum products in the system for a long time arising from the activities of NNPC/PPMC largely and contributions from other marketers, ‘’ he said. He however said that the National Executive Committee of IPMAN commends the concerted effort of the management of PPMC in sustaining steady supply of petroleum products to Nigerians. He noted that upsurge in any market mechanism cannot be ruled out and the kerosene market cannot be an exception, while IPMAN has also confirmed that the current upsurge in kerosene market demand is being addressed by the Management of PPMC through innovative measures. “IPMAN therefore urges PPMC not to be distracted by the ranting of misguided elements singing the tunes of their paymasters, but endeavour to sustain the current level of supply which IPMAN estimates at about 10 to 11 million litres of DPK daily to the system. “We call on all relevant agencies in charge of petroleum products monitoring and policing to discharge their duties effectively. In the same vein IPMAN urges all her members to sustain the current retailing system so as to provide quality services to Nigerians. Osatuyi said that IPMAN NEC had confirmed that PPMC has successfully been monitoring vessel discharges electronically, while electronic tracking of kerosene vessels has made round- tripping of kerosene vessels impossible in the system. According to him, “some Marketers found to have diverted DPK vessels as were detected through PPMC’s electronic vessel tracking system have been sanctioned by PPMC. “Furthermore, it should be noted that the National President of IPMAN has called on all Stakeholders to determine the current National consumption of Kerosene, as Kerosene is being used by manufacturers massively e.g. Paint Industries, Road Contractors, Artisans etc. “The increase in National Population will definitely transform to more consumption year by year, while the diversion of DPK for Aviation use cannot be ruled out,’’ Osatuyi added. He however advised that diversion through porous Nigeria boarders is suspected and should be checked by the relevant government Agencies.
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