The Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association (DAPPMA) has debunked allegation that marketers were responsible for the current fuel crisis as a result of hoarding.
“Our members’ depots are presently empty,” the marketers association said.
The denial is contained in a statement issued by the Executive Secretary of DAPPMA, Mr. Olufemi Adewole.
The marketers said the problem had to do with the NNPC becoming the sole marketer of the product.
Said the marketers: “It is on record that any time NNPC assumes the role of sole importer there are issues of distribution, because it is marketers who own 80 per cent of the functional receptive facilities and retail outlets in Nigeria.
“Historically, DAPPMA members imported about 65 per cent of the nation’s total fuel consumption. Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) imports about 15 per cent and PPMC/NNPC imports the balance of 20 per cent.
“However this scenario changed drastically due to several challenges faced by marketers.
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“Our members’ depots are presently empty. However, if the PPMC/NNPC can provide us with petrol, we are ready to do 24-hour loading to alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians and for the fuel queues to be totally eliminated.”
The marketers said for its members to be able to import and ensure sale at N145.00 per litre, it had to depend on subsidy.
According to them, the landing cost of the product was already above the pump price of N145.00 per litre.
They said although 800 million litres of petrol had been ordered and paid for, they had not been programmed or loaded.
Reacting further on the allegation of being responsible for the crisis, the marketers said: “Sadly, some people have blamed marketers for hoarding products. Unfortunately, this is far from the truth.”
They added: “Hoarding is regarded as economic sabotage and we assure all Nigerians that our members are not involved in such illicit act.
“We, petroleum products marketers, do empathise with all Nigerians who are going through difficulties at this time by spending hours on fuel queues because of the current fuel scarcity due to no fault of theirs.”
