The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D, has pledged to intervene in the issues between the Federal Government and petroleum marketers, particularly regarding allocation and debt. This commitment came during a visit from the national leadership of the Independent Petroleum Marketers of Nigeria (IPMAN) to the Speaker’s office in Abuja on Wednesday.
Speaker Abbas announced that the Majority Leader of the House, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, will chair a panel to engage with all relevant stakeholders on issues affecting the supply chain of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) in Nigeria. The Speaker acknowledged the critical role marketers play in the economy and ensuring energy supply, especially given the challenges of bad roads and insecurity across the country.
The Speaker expressed awareness of IPMAN’s difficulties with price fluctuations and urged patience, assuring them that the current government has good intentions for the association. He also acknowledged the challenge of PMS supply allocation by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (formerly Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation).
“The House will take necessary steps,” the Speaker assured, promising to invite all stakeholders in the sector to address the issues. He also committed to resolving the over N200bn non-payment issue by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to IPMAN members soon.
Speaker Abbas urged IPMAN to suspend their planned strike, assuring them that the House would intervene in the matter. “Industrial action should be the last resort,” he emphasized.
Earlier, IPMAN President Alhaji Abubakar Maigandi Shettima decried the alleged abuse of the petrol sharing formula by NNPC, highlighting that IPMAN’s 150,000 outlets can ensure adequate supplies nationwide. He also pleaded for the Speaker’s intervention on the N200bn owed to IPMAN members by NMDPRA.
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