By Nneka Nwogwugwu
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has disclosed that it has resorted to begin Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) diesel importation following effects of fuel scarcity in the country.
Speaking in a recent interview with the Nation, IPMAN President, Alhaji Debo Ahmed, said the quantity will be large enough to cause a positive change in the ongoing energy crises in Nigeria, the Russian and Ukraine war would determine the quantity to a reasonable extent.
He said, “But I don’t think there is going to be a problem. It is not going to last longer.”
“Products are coming in and they are discharging in the stations.
“But there is always this panic buying. NNPC said the product is available. So we are waiting to see how the whole thing goes.
” We had some discussions with some of the stakeholders and very soon we will get our way to probably import more of diesel down.
“We are not the only persons, other marketers are allowed to import diesel. So, we are looking at very soon.”
Informing on the intervention of the NNPC on the situation, Ahmed said, “But why is scarcity persisting in Abuja? The whole thing boils down to the availability of diesel. The cost of diesel is very high.
“Most of these transporters have to go to the Southern depots to evacuate product down to the north, especially Abuja.
” But of late, the NNPC really arranged in a way that product will be coming to Abuja that is why you have a little leeway for sometimes now.
“Now it has come to the point that probably the transporters have not been able to evacuate as much as they can.
“But I don’t think there is going to be a problem. It is not going to last longer. Products are coming in and they are discharging in the stations.
“But there is always this panic buying.”
“NNPC said the product is available. So we are waiting to see how the whole thing goes. Except some of our members who have depots that would apply.”
