IPMAN accuses DPR of illegality for shutting down filling stations

THE Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) yesterday accused the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) of “illegal shutting down” its members’ filling stations in Niger State over allegations of selling the product above the pump price of N87 per litre.

Chairman of IPMAN in the state, Alhaji Adamu Erena, who disclosed this to journalists in Minna, said that the activity of the DPR would further worsen the hardship of consumers in the state.

It would be recalled that the recent closure of some IPMAN filling stations by the DPR for selling fuel between N95 and N110 forced the association to direct its members to shutdown their filling stations.

Erena claimed that its members buy the petroleum products from private depots in Lagos at non-regulated prices of between N87 and N95 per litre and wondered why DPR expects them to sell for N87.

He argued that it is not possible for its members to buy the products at the rate of N87 and sell at the same rate, stressing that “it would amount to a loss. There is no way our members will buy fuel at N87 and N95 per litre and expect them not to make gain out of it after transporting the product from Lagos to Minna.”

The IPMAN chairman explained that Minna branch of the association had written a letter to the DPR over the sale of PMS to members at non-regulated prices but nothing was done.

“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 and If you don’t agree to fill the coupon in that way they will not load your tanker”.

Meanwhile, Alhaji Abdullahi Jankara, DPR Controller in the state has explained that Minna office of the DPR has not received such letter or any directive from the headquarters to that effect.

Jankara said that the independent marketers are expected to purchase PMS at government-regulated price of N77.66 per litre at the depots and sell at N87 to motorists.

He alleged that members of the association have not adhered to the rules and regulations regarding filling their coupons while purchasing products.

The Controller of DPR 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 fines and revocation of license.