TheCable

The western zone of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) says its members are not buying petrol at depots at N172 per litre.

Dele Tajudeen, IPMAN’s chairman, western zone, spoke during an interview with NAN in Ibadan.

Tajudeen referred to reports that IPMAN members had commenced lifting of petrol from the Ijegun-Egba tank farm in Lagos at ex-depot price of N172 per litre was false and capable of inciting the public against the marketers.

He said the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited was making arrangements for its members to lift petrol at the official price, adding that the new pricing arrangement had yet to materialise.

“We are still expecting the arrangements being made by NNPCL for independent marketers to lift fuel at N172 so that we also can sell at N195 per litre which is the official price,” he said.

“The report that emanated from some online media that members of the association have commenced lifting of petrol from the Ijegun-Egba tank farm in Lagos at ex-depot price of N172 per litre is not true.

“The report, if not quickly debunked, is capable of inciting members of the public against IPMAN members. It is misleading and far from the truth.

“We are committed to serving the Nigerian masses in truth and fairness, without taking advantage of them.

“While waiting for the government’s agency in charge of petroleum products to come up with its arrangement for independent marketers, we will continue to serve Nigerians in truth.”

IPMAN had said regulatory agencies agreed to start enforcing the pump price of petrol at N195 per litre at all filling stations across the country.

The marketers also asked for more time from the federal government to sell their current petrol stock before conforming to the official price.

Due to the price cap, the Borno chapter of the association directed its members to suspend all operations — but reversed the directive a few hours later.