News
BREAKING: IPMAN Raises Alarm Over Worsening Fuel Scarcity In Nigeria
By Mario Deepromoter
IPMAN has raised alarm over worsening fuel scarcity in Nigeria.
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association (IPMAN) has lamented the current Petrol scarcity experienced across the country.
The Publicity Secretary of IPMAN, Ukadike Chinedu, said the private marketers, like citizens, are suffering as a result of the current petrol scarcity.
Ukadike said IPMAN worried that despite the good conditions of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries, the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) is yet to start refining crude oil to address the re-occurring fuel scarcity.
In an interview with Arise TV on Monday, Ukadike said marketers demand that President Bola Tinubu implements its president’s advice on the refineries.
He said only if the refineries start working would petrol scarcity be addressed in the country.
He said, “I know there was a broadcast or a news brief that the president of IPMAN, Abubakar Maigandi, you know, opined that President Bola Tinubu should declare a state of emergency in our refineries and give the refineries MDs and those in charge of that refinery 30 days ultimate to ensure that production should start.
“That is the only panacea to this lingering or epileptic scarcity in Nigeria. If our refinery is working at the optimal level, the four refineries are working at the optimal level, dates of these refineries have been shifted.
“I don’t know whether it’s political, I don’t know whether it’s logistics, I don’t know whether it’s technical, but I have visited the refinery myself.
“A lot of job has been done. They have done a very wonderful job. The refinery is almost like a brand-new refinery.”
Ukadike said IPMAN was aware that the Federal Government supplied 1 million barrels of crude oil to the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries to ensure production starts.
He explained that the current scarcity of petrol supply to marketers is costing the marketers up to ₦50 million to buy petrol.
“And I was wondering what is holding and I heard that the federal government has also supplied 1 million barrels of crude oil to PortHarcourt refinery.
“And if actually these things are all going on and the refineries are about to kick start, I also believe that the president should drastically, since the minister has gone to that place, the president should make a move to that refinery and see what is holding the refinery.
The Warri refinery I heard is complete, the contractors have handed it over to NNPC. What is holding it? The country is suffering. We the businessmen, we the independent marketers are suffering.
“We cannot put huge investment in the filling stations and at the end of the day we can’t see product to sell.
“Our business, primary business is to sell fuel to commuters, store fuel to individuals, a kind of provide services. Now we cannot even pay salaries.
“The huge amount of money used in buying petroleum product is so huge that sometimes most of us are suffering from high blood pressure because we cannot be able to make up money to buy product to buy at ₦8 million. Now we are buying at the cost of ₦40 million to ₦50 million,” Ukadike added.
Niger State’s Executive Council has proposed a massive N1.2 trillion budget for 2025 fiscal year.
This proposal was unveiled by Commissioner of Budget and Planning Mustapha Ndajiwo during a Government House Council meeting, as announced by the Governor’s Special Adviser Abdullberqy Usman Ebbo on social media X.
Ebbo explained that the commissioner told the council that the estimate is made up of N188.42 billion or 15.68 per cent recurrent and 1.01 trillion or 84.34 per cent capital expenditure respectively.
The commissioner stated that when compared with the approved budget of 2024, the estimate represents an increase of 32.94 per cent.
” The Commissioner in his analysis also stated that even though the 2024 approved budget was supplemented with the sum of N191.98 billion, the breakdown of the draft 2025 proposals revealed an increase of 1.18 per cent and 32.98 per cent in recurrent and capital expenditure respectively, ” Ebbo stated.
He noted that Governor Mohammed Umar Bago in his remarks, explained that the size of the estimate was informed by the gap in infrastructure and key development areas and the inflationary trend of the country.
After the presentation, the council deliberated on it and approved the estimates.
It then directed the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mustapha Ndajiwo to prepare for submission to the Niger State House of Assembly for approval.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Jami’u Abiola, son of late Moshood Abiola, as senior special assistant to the president on linguistics and foreign matters.
Segun Imohiosen, director of information, office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), in a statement, said the appointment takes effect from November 14, 2024.
“This is in line with the provisions of the Certain Political and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc) Act 2008, as amended”
Until his appointment, Jami’u has served as the special assistant to the president on special duties in the Office of the Vice President.
The statement said President Tinubu tasked the appointee to work closely with the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and bring his wealth of experience to bear in his new assignment.
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has halted the free bus service system in the state.
The governor had earlier on Wednesday approved the free bus services for residents of the state through the Edo City Transport Service.
In a press statement released by Okpebholo’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, the initiative was described as part of the administration’s effort to entrench its policy direction.
The free bus service, according to the governor, was to cover the Benin metropolis and the three senatorial districts of the state (intra- and intercity routes) and was intended as a commitment to enhancing the welfare of Edo residents.
However, in a subsequent statement on Wednesday night, Itua said the earlier announcement regarding the approval of the free bus services should be disregarded.
The statement read: “The earlier statement announcing the approval of free bus services by the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, should be disregarded.
“The governor is being briefed on issues surrounding the operation of the state-owned Edo City Transport Service, operators of the free bus services.
“For now, the free bus services have been placed on hold. A new decision by the governor will be communicated to the general public.”
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