If the directive of the Federal Government
is anything to go by, premium motor spirit
(petrol) should be selling at N86.50 per litre across Nigeria as from January 1, 2016, but whether the directive is being implemented remains a puzzle.
In order to ensure compliance, government threatened to punish violators by selling off their products for free to the public, impose N1 million fine and close defaulting stations for some months. Of course, some marketers have been sanctioned but that has not deterred operators from making fuel supply an issue, especially in Rivers State.
Prior to the announcement, fuel, an essential driver of the economy had been hardly available for consumers and when seen, sold at different outrageous prices. This was traceable to the activities of unscrupulous marketers, who manipulated the market to their own advantage.
However, since the coming into effect of the new pump price regime in parts of the country including Abuja, Lagos and the Northern States, the South-East and South-South States seem not to have taken heed to the directive. Only a few of the marketers particularly, major marketers have complied in these parts of the country.
Sadly, the situation appears to be worse in Rivers State, where ‘black market’ activities still dominate fuel supply. Sometimes, even with money at hand, consumers are not able to find fuel, thus creating a perpetual case of fuel scarcity. This has led to loss of man hour at long queues at filling stations, panic buying and stocking of products at homes. These have serious economic and dangerous implications that can only be negative for the state.
As people helplessly grapple with the lingering anomaly, those who should intervene, especially the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, appears to be overwhelmed. Even with few cases of closure and other sanctions, the recalcitrant filling stations bounce back almost immediately with their condemnable practices.
For some time now, products are sold between N120 to N135 per litre at many stations, especially, those owned by Independent Markets. Some even resort to selling products at odd hours in order to evade the authorities.
The situation can only be more annoying when viewed from the background that Rivers State is the headquarters of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria. That a region that bears the brunt of oil exploration and exploitation cannot access fuel, while others enjoy cheaper and surplus fuel is a misnomer.
Though, we are aware of efforts at some quarters to stop the sale of fuel to persons with jerry cans but why fuel is still scarce and expensive is something that cannot be understood. The effect of this on business in the State is best imagined while the anger it evokes is something that should not be allowed to linger.
That is why we call on the authorities, especially, the DPR to take the bull by the horns and ensure that the new pump price takes effect fully in Rivers State. No marketer should be made to feel that he is above the law. More so, it is time that DPR should be up and about and seen to be enforcing the law rather than resorting to only barking through the media.
Perhaps, the Rivers State government should wade into the matter and drive the process of making access to fuel in the State easier and normal. In fact, we think that a diligent taskforce with clear terms of reference will be required to enforce the new fuel pump price regime in Rivers State.
The point is that the perennial hardship in accessing petrol in the Niger Delta should not be allowed to continue. While the individual states can facilitate adequate supply of fuel in their states, the BRACED Commission should address this matter.
Perhaps, a special appeal should be made to the President and Minister of Petroleum to ensure that this jinx is broken now. The problem of endless fuel scarcity in the region can trigger another crisis if not handled now.