The Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association,DAPPMA, has exposed the reason behind the lingering fuel scarcity in Nigeria.The group has also placed the blame squarely at the doorsteps of NNPC.
According to a statement by Olufemi A.Adewole,Executive Secretary, DAPPMA signed on Christmas day,”Current import price of petrol is about N170 /ltr.NNPC which absorbs the attendant subsidy on behalf of the Federal Government is the importer of last resort.
“We understand that the NNPC meets this demand largely through its DSDP framework; however due to the price challenges on the DSDP platform,some participants in the scheme failed to meet their supply quota of refined petroleum product,especially PMS, to NNPC.This is the main reason for this scarcity.
Also DAPPMA said, “It is on record that any time NNPC assume the role of sole importer, there are issues of distribution ,because it is marketers who own 80% of the functional receptive facilities and retail outlets in Nigeria
It also hinted that the scarcity will not end soon saying, “While we cannot confirm or dispute NNPC’s claim of having sufficient product stock,we can confirm that the products are not in our tanks and as such cannot be distributed. If the products are offshore, then surely, it cannot be considered to be available to Nigerians.
The full text of DAPPMA’s statement reads thus: “We Petroleum Products Marketers do empathize with all Nigerians who are going through difficulties at this time spending hours on fuel queues because of the current fuel scarcity due to no fault of yours.
“Historically, DAPPMA members imported about 65% of the nation’s total fuel consumption, Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) imports about 15 per cent and PPMC/NNPC import the balance of 20 per cent.
“However this scenario changed drastically due to several challenges faced by marketers.”
“Sadly, some people have blamed marketers for hoarding products. Unfortunately, this is far from the truth.
“Hoarding is regarded as economic sabotage and we assure all Nigerians that our members are not involved in such illicit act.
“While all kinds of allegations have been made in the media, it is important to set the records straight, as Nigerians first, and as responsible business men and women who employ Nigerians.
“As it stands today, NNPC has been the sole importer of PMS into the country since October due to the following reasons:
“ We all know that we presently run a fixed price regime of N145 per litre for PMS or petrol without any recourse to subsidy claims.However,we als have no control on the international price of crude oil.
“Current import price of petrol is about N170 /ltr.NNPC which absorbs the attendant subsidy on behalf of the Federal Government is the importer of last resort.
“We understand that the NNPC meets this demand largely through its DSDP framework; however due to the price challenges on the DSDP platform,some participants in the scheme failed to meet their supply quota of refined petroleum product,especially PMS, to NNPC.This is the main reason for this scarcity.
“The international price of PMS went up during the hurricane Katrina and has not dropped below USD600/MT
“Exchange rate f USD to the Naira is N306 for PMS imports and also interest rate our banks charge is above 25%
“Landing cost of PMS in Nigeria based the scenario (listed above) is above N145/ltr which means any of our members that imports would have to resort to subsidy claims, a policy already jettisoned by the Federal Government.
“It is on record that any time NNPC assume the role of sole importer, there are issues of distribution ,because it is marketers who own 80% of the functional receptive facilities and retail outlets in Nigeria
“While we cannot confirm or dispute NNPC’s claim of having sufficient product stock,we can confirm that the products are not in our tanks and as such cannot be distributed. If the products are offshore, then surely, it cannot be considered to be available to Nigerians.
“NNPC imports and distributes through Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association ;DAPPMA, Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria;MOMAN and Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria;IPMAN.Our members pay PPMC.NNPC in advance for petroleum products and fully paid up PMS orders that have neither been programmed nr loaded is in excess of 500,000MT(about 800,000,000 litres) as at today and enough to meet the nation’s needs for 19 days at a daily estimated consumption of 35,00,000 litres.
“Our members’ depots are presently empty. However, if the PPMC/NNPC can provide us with PMS, we are ready to do 24-hour loading/truck out to alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians and for the fuel queues to be totally eliminated.
“Fuel marketer remain committed to the progress of the nation and its citizenry as therein lies our own profitability and fulfilment”
