SAN FRANCISCO, January 27, (THEWILL) – The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, in Kano State on Friday dispelled speculations of a possible increase in the pump price of premium motor spirit, better known as petrol.
Calling on members to disregard the rumour, the state chairman of IPMAN, Alhaji Bashir Dan-Malam, told journalists in Kano that the call was to avert hoarding of the product and its attendant hardship on Nigerians.
He advised IPMAN members in the state to continue with their normal business, warning that the association would sanction anyone caught hoarding or selling PMS above government-approved price of N145.
“As leaders of the association, we feel it is necessary to tell our members the truth as the government has no plan to increase fuel price for now.
“The rumour is a lie and anything you hear that is not from us, ignore it,” Dan-Malam said.
He hailed the outcome of a recent meeting which the association had with the President’s Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun and Minister of state for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachukwu.
The IPMAN chairman said the meeting was an indication that the Federal Government was ready to listen to their grievances and resolve them.
He disclosed that one of the outcomes of the meeting was that the union should go and reconcile with the Petroleum Equalisation Fund, PEF, on the outstanding payment of transportation charges.
“During the meeting it was agreed that a committee to be chaired by the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun consisting of all stakeholders be set up with a mandate to reconcile all outstanding balances. The aim is to come up with a plan to clear all the issues that has plagued the sector.
“The administration has clearly demonstrated its willingness to create an enabling environment for a viable and sustainable downstream sector in Nigeria and IPMAN is 100 per cent committed to achieving this goal,” Dan-Malam stated.
