…By Dorcas Funmi for TDPel Media.
Oil marketers belonging to the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) have raised concerns over alleged exploitation by the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) in the distribution of petroleum products.
They staged a peaceful protest in Lagos State to express their displeasure and called upon President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the matter.
Exploitation Claims Against NNPC:
According to the Secretary of IPMAN/NNPC PDO Forum, Folalu Ebenezer, the association fully supports the removal of fuel subsidy.
However, they have requested the President’s attention to investigate the activities of NNPCL personnel regarding fuel distribution.
IPMAN has accused NNPCL of diverting the products that their members have paid for to private companies and tank farm owners for storage, which they consider an act of exploitation.
Involvement of Major Oil Marketers Association and DAPMAN
IPMAN has also alleged that NNPCL is colluding with the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) and DAPMAN to commit fraud and engage in illegal activities.
The association claims that these entities are aiding NNPCL in its alleged exploitation of the oil marketers.
Payment Issues and Product Access:
During the protest, Ebenezer highlighted the payment issues faced by IPMAN members.
They are required to pay in advance for product supplies through Authority To Pay (ATP) generated from NNPCL’s portal.
However, despite paying months in advance and having generated tickets for product loading, IPMAN members have not been able to access the products they paid for.
Some members have outstanding tickets dating back nine months before the fuel subsidy removal.
Furthermore, an unexpected increment was imposed in January 2023, compelling IPMAN members to pay an additional amount per ticket.
Even after making these payments, their members have not received the promised product access.
Currently, over 4,500 tickets, including 500 Dynamic tickets, are pending on NNPCL’s portal.
New Payment Demands:
Adding to their grievances, NNPCL has now requested IPMAN members with existing tickets to pay an additional amount of N13,702,000 per ticket following the recent announcement of fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government.
Conclusion:
Oil marketers under the IPMAN umbrella have voiced their concerns about alleged exploitation by NNPCL and have called upon President Bola Tinubu to intervene.
They have cited diversion of paid products, collusion with other organizations, delayed product access despite upfront payments, and unexpected payment demands as the primary issues they face.
The resolution of these grievances is crucial to ensuring fair and transparent practices in the distribution of petroleum products in Nigeria.