The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has urged the Federal Government to direct private oil depots across the country to sell petrol to its members at regulated price of N77.66 per litre.

Alhaji Adamu Erena, Chairman of Minna branch of the association in Niger, told newsmen on Tuesday that such step would enable members of the association to sell the product at approved N87 per litre.

“We don’t have the intention of making our people suffer by selling petrol above N87 per litre approved by government; this is because we sell as we buy from the private depots.

“The truth is that NNPC cannot supply us with enough fuel so the private depots are cashing in on that to do what they want.

“When you go to the private depots to purchase PMS you are made to pay N77.66 to the company as approved by government.

“Then you are made to pay the difference of N10 in a private bank account, totalling N87. So, how can you sell at the same N87; it is not possible, if you do, you will be out of business.”

Erena decried a situation where private depots sell petrol to IPMAN members at N87 per litre, saying “and same government regulating the process expects them to sell at the same rate after transporting the product.

“The DPR is expected to regulate the price of fuel from the depots to our various filling stations but it is not doing that, rather it is clamping down on filling stations of members.”

According to him, if the DPR can assist IPMAN to get PMS at the approved rate of N77.66, then members can sell to motorists and other people at N87 per litre.

“When we purchase the product at N87 or more per litre you don’t expect us to sell at the same price.”

The chairman, therefore, urged DPR to check sharp practices at private depots in the country to ensure availability of petrol at approved rate.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that about two weeks ago, the DPR sealed no fewer than eight filling stations belonging to members of IPMAN in Minna for allegedly selling petrol above approved rate.

In reaction to the development, the association directed its members to shut down their filling stations. (NAN)

•Photo shows filling station.