Leader of Arewa Oil and Gas Marketers Association of Nigeria (AROGMA), Alh Bashir Ahmad Dan-Mallam has urged the Independent Petroleum Marketers to focus more energy how to redeem members investment from Nigerian Independent Petroleum Company (NIPCO).
Besides, AROGMA faulted IPMAN incessant criticism and act of shifting blames on fuel subsidy to the Nigeria National Petroleum Company NNPC.
Danmalam made the remark on Thursday while speaking with journalists in Abuja.
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The AROGMA leader asserted that if IPMAN directs its efforts towards recovering withheld shares and depots meant for oil marketers, that could enabled marketers the leverage to dispense products at subsidized prices.
According to Danmalam, petroleum marketers’ leadership should communicate candidly rather than beating around the bush, insisted that IPMAN should direct its attention towards NIPCO, not the NNPC.
He cautioned that indulging in mischief against NNPC would rather exacerbate challenges militating leadership progress in IPMAN.
“Instead of making unsubstantiated claims, IPMAN should focus on retrieving withheld shares and collaborating with AROGMA to regain control of depots that will enable us to sell fuel at subsidized prices.
” The criticize against NNPC is baseless and I will rather suggest IPMAN to engage in productive dialogue rather than making empty promises. I had reminded IPMAN in December 11th, 2023, to investigate oil marketers’ shares withheld by NIPCO. If our depots are returned through withheld NIPCO Shares we can procure fuel at 556.50 so that we can sell it at subsidized rates.
” It is important to addressing it because that is the root of our issue with NIPCO. We ncouraged IPMAN to work together with AROGMA to reclaim control of depots for selling petrol at subsidized rates. I also advised IPMAN leadership to prioritize transparency and take decisive action rather than engaging in vague rhetoric”.
Recently, the IPMAN President, in an interview with journalists, stated that they are going to reduce fuel prices the moment the NNPC sells to them directly. However, Danmalam, the AROGMA President, chastised them, urging them to work together and bring back oil shares withheld by NIPCO.
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On the issue of paying oil claims raised by IPMAN,Danmalam said IPMAN has showcased its ignorance on the operations of oil by asking NNPC to pay oil claims, noting that it’s the responsibility of the Petroleum Equalization Fund to pay oil claims.
According to AROGMA President NNPC cannot pay claims, and IPMAN knows very well where the funds for oil claims are. This can be a laughable issue, even small oil marketers know where the funds for petroleum claims are.
He said the bill that provides for petroleum equalization funds has given responsibility to both upstream and downstream sectors, and even the Petroleum Minister on what to do.