Queues have resurfaced at many filling stations in Kano, while many others had closed down their activities, causing panic among people in the state due to fuel scarcity.
It was gathered that the price of four litres of fuel at the black market has risen from N900 to N1200, while some stations hoard and sell fuel to motorists between N170 and N180 per litre.
However, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has constituted a task force committee against the acute petroleum scarcity in the country.
According to a statement signed and issued to journalists on Monday, the Chairman of IPMAN, Kano zone, Bashir Ahmad Dan-Mallam, the association said it has formed the committee, in collaboration with Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to check hoarding of the commodity at filling stations.
Dan-Mallam said any marketer found culpable of hoarding petroleum product would be dealt with.
He emphasised that IPMAN would not allow some unscrupulous elements within its fold to inflict hardship on Nigerians.
He, however, disclosed that 210 tankers have been loaded with petroleum products for distribution across the country today.
The chairman, therefore, called on the citizens not to panic as the product being supplied would be more than enough in circulation.
“I urge people not to panic. That panicking is what causes long queues at filling stations because people have the impression that the petroleum would be scarce, and that is why you see somebody with five cars and jerrycans come to filling to buy fuel. This is responsible for congestion.
“Let me call on Nigerians to be assured that IPMAN, in collaboration with NNPC and other stakeholders is on top of the situation and be rest assured that this problem will not last long,” he said in the statement.
However, Dan-Mallam assured Nigerians that there is no plan to increase the price of fuel in the country.
According to him, IPMAN had contacted all stakeholders in the petroleum sector and they assured that there is no plan to increase the price of fuel at the moment.
Editor’s note: This photo is for illustrative purpose
