As Nigerians grapple with fuel scarcity, over 9,000 oil marketers are at risk of losing their operating licenses, prompting urgent appeals for government intervention.
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) is urging the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to extend the final deadline for licensing renewal to July. Additionally, IPMAN is appealing to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to release 9,000 already processed licenses to its members.
In a press release signed by Chief Chinedu Ukadike, the National Public Relations Officer, IPMAN emphasized the importance of extending the licensing deadline to allow marketers to reconcile their licenses and alleviate public panic buying, which worsens the current scarcity of petroleum products.
IPMAN’s statement highlighted ongoing challenges with the slow pace of license renewal by NMDPRA, leading to concerns among marketers about potential closure of access to customer express portals for petroleum product purchases from NNPC Retail Limited.
“We are aware that the NMDPRA has processed more than 9,000 licenses out of the 15,000 expected for our members,” stated the release. “Marketers are expediting license processing to avoid portal closure and are appealing for an extension to July to ensure uninterrupted operations.”
Ukadike further clarified in a telephone interview with Punch, “IPMAN’s appeal is to request an extension of the final licensing deadline to July, facilitating the reconciliation of licenses to prevent undue portal closures.”
This appeal comes amidst a lingering fuel scarcity crisis, with commercial drivers in Abeokuta resorting to overnight stays at fuel stations in a bid to purchase Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). Despite government assurances of emergency supply measures and ongoing vessel discharges at depots, the availability of fuel remains a challenge, leading to increased reliance on black market sales.
The scarcity has driven up transport fares and created lucrative opportunities for black market sellers, exacerbating concerns about income loss among Nigerians reliant on regular fuel access.
As queues persist at filling stations and black market activities escalate, the public remains apprehensive about the potential economic repercussions of the ongoing fuel crisis.
