TheCable

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) says 200 trucks have been dispatched with petroleum products to end the fuel scarcity being experienced in some parts of the country.

In recent days, queues surfaced at filling stations in parts of the country, especially in the north.

Speaking with NAN on Sunday, Bashir Danmalam, IPMAN northern zone chairman, said flooding and impassable roads had prevented haulage trucks from distributing petroleum products, particularly in parts of the north in the last two weeks, leading to the scarcity.

“Following the flooding, major roads being used by marketers have gone bad making truck drivers spend up to nine days, especially around Koton Karfe in Kogi before reaching their destinations,” he said.

“Roads that have also gone bad in Niger are Bida-Lemu-Zungeru, Minna-Tagina-Makonkele, Tegina-Mokwa-Makera-Minna and Lambata-Lapai-Agaie-Bida.”

Danmalam said 200 trucks of petroleum products were already heading to Abuja and other parts of the north.

He said the trucks would go through Ikom and Ogoja in Cross River, to Katsina-Ala and Vandeikya in Benue and to Lafia, where the floods have receded, and then to Abuja.

Danmalam commended the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) for pledging to support haulage firms with diesel to cushion the cost and facilitate fuel distribution.

He added that the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) was also doubling efforts to clear the roads to ensure the smooth passage of the fuel-laden trucks.