Business
Tension rises as Oil Marketers and Depot Owners Fight Over Alleged Fuel Diversion of 16.6 Billion Litres
Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports
The allegation that 16.6 billion liters of fuel were diverted to neighboring countries has sparked a feud between oil marketers and depot owners.
Fuel scarcity has been found to be exacerbated in part by marketers allegedly diverting products to neighboring countries.
According to a top official with the Depots and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DPPMAN), approximately 46 million litres of petrol are diverted daily.
He went on to say that approximately 16.6 billion litres of petrol are allegedly diverted each year, despite Nigeria’s daily consumption of 60 million litres.
“We had a meeting with the PPMC some weeks ago, and part of the complaints was that the volume we load is too high, forcing them to reduce the volume they give to us. From their records, they said marketers loaded 106 million litres per day as of April.
“Nigeria consumes 60 million litres per day, where are the remaining litres of fuel going? They are taken outside the country. That’s a product Nigeria is paying heavily to subsidise, and marketers are busy taking it out and denying Nigerians full benefits of what they pay for,” he said.
Reacting, the Executive Secretary of the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), Clement Isong, said its members operate a fully integrated business model, adding that it would be impossible to smuggle products out of the country.
He said: “They know who they are accusing, and it’s definitely not our members. We buy products from the NNPC to our depots, and then distribute them to our stations. So, they can’t be accusing major oil marketers of diversion because we run a fully integrated business model.”
Also reacting, the National Operations Controller of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, Mike Osatuyi, denied the allegation.
Osatuyi denied the claim that IPMAN members were responsible for the smuggling of petroleum products to neighbouring countries.
“They should go and ask the Customs, police, NIA and others whether they see our members’ trucks carrying such products across the borders. Why are they accusing marketers of smuggling when we have those who are being paid to police our borders?” he said.
-
Niger Delta5 days ago
IYC: 12 Killed, Over 50 Injured as Violence Erupts Over Eastern Zone Election
-
Politics7 days ago
Breaking: APC candidacy threatened as Abuja Court summons Okpebholo for making false statements on oath
-
National5 days ago
NAFDAC Press Statement Against Christ Mercy Land Deliverance Ministry Incorrect
-
News5 days ago
‘Forgive My Actions’ – Oshiomhole Apologies To Igbinedion
-
News4 days ago
Henceforth Any Police Officer Who Involves In Land, Rent And Marital Matters Will Be Sanctioned, Promotion Suspended-PSC
-
Sports7 days ago
UPDATE: World’s Most Monstrous Bodybuilder Dies At 36
-
News5 days ago
Crisis hits Abiola family over oil asset as other children accuse Kola, Wuraola of fraud
-
News7 days ago
Gov. Diri attends burial of Pst. Ngozi Muoka, wife of Lord’s chosen G.O at Mgbidi