*Fuel marketers have urged regulatory Pipelines and Product Marketing Company to nominate two private depots in Lagos for members to procure petrol at the regulated price to address current queues at filling stations

Emmanuel Akosile | ConsumerConnect

The Pipelines and Product Marketing Company (PPMC) has asked the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) to nominate two private depots in Lagos where their members could procure petrol at the regulated price.

Mr Akin Akinrinade, Chairman, IPMAN, Lagos Satellite Depot, Ejigbo, confirmed the development to the News Agency of Nigeria Friday, July 8, in Lagos.

Akinrinade said the move was part of efforts by the Federal Government and the independent petroleum marketers to resolve the lingering fuel scarcity across Lagos State.

The IPMAN Chief said: “They have asked us to nominate private depots where we can receive petrol in Lagos and we are looking at depots at Ijegun-Egba.

“Once we are able to finalise the arrangement and we get supply from there, our members can buy at the approved ex-depot price of N148.17 per litre.”

He also stated: “This will enable independent marketers to sell petrol at their retail outlets for the regulated pump price of N165 per litre.”

Some private depots, according to Akinrinade, are currently selling petrol at N165 ex-depot price, which has made marketers to sell at the pump above N180.

He further stated that the Nigeria Pipeline and Storage Company had been unable to pump products from Atlas Cove to Ejigbo Depot due to vandalism of the pipelines.

“Two or three weeks ago, they tested it by pumping water into it and they discovered that it was ruptured by vandals at about five points.

“That is what they are trying to fix now and we equally want to appeal to the Lagos State Government to come to their aid.

“Security of life and property is the duty of the government and the pipeline is passing through residential areas and yet we are having this issue of vandalism.

“So, you cannot put the blame of the scarcity of petrol entirely on PPMC,” Akinrinade said.