The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has expressed sadness over the diversion of petroleum products destined for southeastern states to other parts of the country, particularly Lagos and Abuja.
IPMAN National Chairman, Alhaji Debo Ahmed made the observation in Aba, Abia State during the inauguration of IPMAN’s new South East Zone Exco.
Represented by the association’s national secretary, John Ekekeocha, Debo noted with dismay that this anomaly had not only made petroleum products scarce in the region, but had also driven up prices.
He said it was wrong to take the quota of products destined for the East, where the oil comes from other places, thereby subjecting the people to untold hardship.
Describing the southeast area as the heart of IPMAN, the association’s national chairman urged the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to do something to stop the diversion.
Debo took the opportunity to inform that the federal government has raised the prices of petroleum products, attributing the current scarcity of products to the recent import of bad petroleum products into the country.
He expressed joy that the shortage was easing and was optimistic that without shorts, prices for petroleum products would normalize.
IPMAN’s new Southeast Zone President, Bobby Eberechi Dick, said his main task would be to interact with NNPC officials to checkmate the diversion.
He also promised to engage the NNPC in a discussion on how to ensure the resumption of pumping of petroleum products to the Aba depot, which has been shut down over the years.
Dick said the new executive would work with security officers to curb the activities of pipeline vandals, which he said was the most difficult issue facing the area.
He expressed his joy that peace had finally returned to IPMAN after years of bricklaying and commended the Chairman of the Board of Directors (BoT) of IPMAN, Obasi Lawson, for his tireless efforts to bring peace to the association.