House Of Reps Constitutes Panel To Intervene In Petrol Distribution

By Ayodele Oni

The House of Representatives has constituted a panel to engage relevant stakeholders on issues affecting the supply chain of Premium Motor Spirit, (PMS) popularly known as petrol, in the country.

The panel is headed by the house Majority Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives Abbas Tajudeen,  disclosed this on Wednesday

when the national leadership of the Independent Petroleum Marketers of Nigeria (IPMAN) visited him at his office in Abuja.

He said the parliament would intervene on the issues between the Federal Government and petroleum marketers, especially regarding allocation and debt.

Speaker Abbas noted that the House appreciated IPMAN, especially due to the critical roles marketers play  in the economy, ensuring energy supply, particularly in the wake of the bad road and insecurity across the country.

The speaker pointed out that he was aware of the difficulties being faced by IPMAN concerning price fluctuations, urging them to be patient as the current government meant well for the association.

He also stated the challenge concerning allocation of PMS supply by the national oil firm, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, formerly Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.

“The House, I assure you, will take the necessary steps,” the Speaker stated, adding that all the stakeholders in the sector would be invited on the issues.

Speaker Abbas also announced that the issue of the over N200bn non-payment by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to members of IPMAN would be sorted out soon.

“We want to plead with you to please slow down; to please soft pedal on your planned strike,” Speaker Abbas said, while assuring the association that the House would step into the matter.

“The issue of industrial action should be suspended. It should be the last resort.”

The President of IPMAN, Alhaji Abubakar Shettima, earlier in his address, decried the alleged abuse of the petrol sharing formula by the NNPC.

Shettima noted that the original allocation formula was for IPMAN to have 50 percent, Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria to receive 30 percent, while the NNPC was to retain 20 percent.

He stated that IPMAN, with the over 150,000 outlets owned by its members, was capable of ensuring adequate supplies to the nooks and crannies of the country.

The IPMAN president also alleged that the NMDPRA owed the association’s members about N200bn, which he pleaded with the Speaker to intervene.