The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) in Minna has accused the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) of forcing its members to close their filling stations.
IPMAN branch Chairman Adamu Erena who made this known to newsmen in Minna on Wednesday said that the measure would increase the hardship of consumers in need of fuel.
Erena said the action of the DPR had caused artificial scarcity and long queues at major filling stations in Minna.
It would be recalls that DPR recently closed some filling stations for allegedly selling fuel at N95 and N110 per litre.
Following the closure the association directed its members to close their stations.
He explained that members of the association buy petroleum products from private depots in Lagos at non-regulated prices of N87 and N95 per litre.
``There is no way our members will buy fuel at N87 and N95 per litre and you expect them not to make gain out of it after they transport the product from Lagos to Minna,’’ he said.
The IPMAN chairman explained that Minna branch of the association had written to the DPR over the sale of PMS to members at non-regulated prices but nothing had changed.
He alleged that the DPR was collaborating with the private depots owners to increase the price of PMS.
According to him, at the depots they force you to fill a coupon that you bought the fuel at regulated price of N77.66 before they load your tanker.
``If you don’t agree to fill the coupon in that way they will not load your tanker,’’ he alleged.
He urged the DPR to monitor the activities of the private depots in the country toward making fuel available and affordable.
Reacting to the allegations, Alhaji Abdullahi Jankara, DPR Controller in the state, said the department had not received such letter or any directive from the headquarters to that effect.
Jankara said that the independent marketers were expected to purchase PMS at government regulated price of N77.66 per litre at the depots and sell at N87 to motorists.
He accused IPMAN members of not adhering to the rules and regulations regarding filling their coupons while purchasing products.
The DPR controller cautioned the marketers against shutting their filling stations and hoarding of products as it attracts penalty ranging from sealing of the station to payment of fine and revocation of licence.
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