Why fuel scarcity can persist in Zuidoost

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria has said that the prevailing shortage in the supply of Premium Motor Spirit in the South East may not end anytime soon due to the challenges marketers face in sourcing products.

The chairman of IPMAN, Enugu Depot Community in charge of Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu states, Chinedu Anyaso, said this in an interview with Nigeria’s news agency in Awka on Saturday.

A NAN correspondent who followed the situation in Awka on Friday reports that petrol is now sold between N400 and N450 per liter and between N500 and N600 on the black market, depending on the time.

Most petrol stations are closed due to lack of petrol, while a few that sell do so at a very high price with long queues.

Anyaso said the amount of produce coming into the Southeast had decreased by more than 50 percent compared to what they were getting in normal time.

He said at this point there is nothing to suggest an easing of the problems as some of them have yet to receive supplies they paid for more than a month ago unless the federal government takes drastic action to flood the country with produce.

“Our members who got the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited allotment last year paid for products since December, so far they have not received their stock, they previously asked them to pay extra money for which most of them were overdrawn between N1 0.4 million and N1.6 million.

“As you can see, most of the gas stations in the zone are closed because they can no longer purchase products normally. Those who paid through their noses to get it, that’s why there are abnormal rates because they need to recoup their costs and make some profit.

“It’s impossible for the authorities to enforce prices now because they provide products, our people go the extra mile to make sure our people have products to buy, even if they are expensive,” he said.

Anyaso said that in addition to the hardships people face due to scarcity and high prices, many are at risk of losing their jobs if the problems continue, as no marketer will continue to pay employees if they are not in business.

NAN