The National Public Relations Officer of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), Dr. Joseph Obele, has denied reports that oil marketers are among those who fix fuel prices in Nigeria.
Dr. Obele made this statement during a radio interview monitored by Nigerian Tribune in Abuja on Thursday. He emphasized that PETROAN would never be part of any arrangement aimed at shortchanging Nigerians regarding fuel prices.
He stated that for the first time in the country, citizens are now aware of the cost of fuel being loaded from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and the Dangote Refinery, which has not only led to a price “war” but also a reduction in price ranges at various outlets across the country.
Obele refuted the allegation of manipulation, assuring that fuel prices are still expected to decrease further. He added that, with reports from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), which provide the actual figures of fuel consumption in the country, the era of fuel scarcity is over. Nigeria will also still be able to export fuel to neighboring countries.
“The issue of manipulation by marketers may not be accurate. This is the first time in Nigeria’s history that our buying rates are made known to the general public. As of today, the public is aware of how much we are buying from Dangote Refinery and the NNPCL. The retail outlets have no role to play in the recent selling price of PMS, so there is no issue of manipulation in that regard.
“The NMDPRA has confirmed that our daily fuel consumption is between 40 and 45 million litres, contrary to previous speculations of 70 to 80 million litres. Currently, it is hovering around 40 to 45 million litres per day. Dangote Refinery is producing between 30 and 35 million litres daily, and with the addition of BUA Refinery and Kaduna Refinery, Nigeria will have a surplus of this product.
“The era of scarcity is over, but the ochallenge Nigerians are facing now is affordability. Fuel is extremely expensive, and many people simply cannot afford it. This is also affecting us, the retail outlet owners. A lot of us are even laying off staff as we speak. For instance, where we once sold 15,000 litres per day, we are now only managing to sell 3,000 litres per day. Jeep owners who used to fill their tanks completely are now a thing of the past.
“All we hear now is, ‘Sell me 3 litres, 5 litres, and the like.’ Sales are really dropping, and our members are suffocating and being strangled. Things are not going well, and the retail outlet owners are feeling it deeply,” Obele said.
SOURCE: tribuneonlineng.com