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IPMAN, PETROAN warn of nationwide fuel scarcity as marketers suspend oil lifting in Rivers

*The two trade unions have alerted energy consumers to possible fuel scarcity across Nigeria in the next few days, following alleged sustained harassment of oil dealers by the country’s security agents

Alexander Davis |  ConsumerConnect

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and Petroleum Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) have alerted energy consumers to possible nationwide fuel scarcity in the next few days, following alleged sustained harassment of oil dealers by security agents.

ConsumerConnect gathered long queues are about to return to filling stations in Rivers State, in the South-South region of the counry barely three months after the last national emergency in the oil industry.

Fuel tankers

The latest development follows the suspension of the lifting of petrol from depots in the state by independent marketers and owners of filling stations over allegations of continued harassment by security operatives.

The petroleum products dealers said the security agents, comprising Men of the Nigerian Army, Police, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) are being used by some prominent officers of their unions to enforce the payment of an illegal levy of N15,000 per marketer in private depots and tank farms, Channels TV report said.

Moreover, IPMAN and PETROAN, at a joint briefing in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, warned that the scarcity, expected in a few days, would escalate to other parts of the country as similar complaints are being received from other states.

Reaction by security agencies

In response to the alleged harassment by security agents, the 6th Division of the Nigerian Army and NSCDC have denied deploying their men for such an operation.

Mr. Olufemi Ayodele, Spokesman of NSCDC, in Rivers State, said the Command is ready to deal decisively with any officer who arrogates such responsibility to himself, especially when the Anti-Vandal Units of the Corps had been disbanded.

However, the Nigeria Police are yet to respond to the allegation, report added.

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