Abuja, Niger, Kaduna and neighbouring locations may face petrol scarcity in the coming days as oil marketers who distribute products in these areas have commenced an industrial action.
Oil dealers under the aegis of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Suleja/Abuja Unit, started the strike on Monday following disagreements between them and the Department of Petroleum Resources.
On Sunday, the marketers threatened to embark on strike over alleged extortion by DPR officials, a claim that was denied by the regulator, as it argued that its demand from the marketers was a statutory requirement.
The IPMAN Chairman, Suleja/Abuja Unit, Yahaya Alhassan, had kicked against DPR’s request for daily stock of products supplied by dealers who patronise the Suleja depot in Niger State, describing it as unethical.
But the Head, Public Affairs, DPR, Paul Osu, argued that the request was a statutory regulatory requirement for any retail outlet licence holder, which enabled DPR to provide accurate petroleum products consumption data for the country.
The association’s National Vice President, IPMAN, Abubakar Maigandi, told a national daily (not The Tide) that the strike had begun.
“I have confirmed but we at the national level, we don’t want to involve ourselves in that issue,” he said.
On whether the association was not concerned that the strike could cause petrol scarcity in Abuja, Niger, Kaduna and other locations, Maigandi expressed hope that the strike would be short-lived.
“It is normal to see queues as a result of strike, but I know that it won’t take long. They will resolve the issue very soon because by Tuesday we hope they will call our attention to the matter,” he said.
The DPR, however, maintained that its regulatory oversight was at no cost to the retail outlets, stressing that the provision of the daily stock report also enabled it to provide guide to investors in line with its role in the sector.

The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), has sought the support of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on implementation of some of the compulsory insurance policies in the country.
NAICOM disclosed that the FRSC and the commission expressed their readiness to cooperate on the enforcement of third party motor insurance when the Corps Marshall, Boboye Oyeyemi, and his team visited the commission.
“Both parties have agreed to work out an effective plan for the enforcement of third party motor insurance,” the commission said.
The commission also said it hosted the Executive Secretary, NHIS, Prof. Nasir Sambo, and his team.
According to the commission, both parties agreed to work together on the implementation of professional indemnity insurance for health workers.
The Head, Corporate Communications and Marketing Development, NAICOM, Salami Rasaaq, said the commission was committed to achieving its market development drives.
He said that the Market Development and Restructuring Initiative was launched in 2009 as a vehicle to among others drive enforcement of compulsory insurances, reduce incidences of fake insurance and in the process grow the sector.

The National Pension Commission ( PenCom), has stated that only five states have insurance coverage for workers, despite the requirement in the Pension Reform Act of 2014, adding that 31 states of the federation have no insurance coverage in place for workers as of March 2021. 
The states in accordance with PenCom’s provisions with pension plans for their workers are Lagos, Osun, Ondo, and Edo. 
The Commission, in a statement made available to The Tide, stated that, “the lack of insurance demonstrates that when the private sector ignores group life insurance, it is basically following in the footsteps of state governments. 
“Normally, state governments would be expected to uphold laws, but their actions have demonstrated a disregard for the law and its workers. 
“Furthermore, insurance benefits are not just for the employees but also the management, that is, the government. It is to ensure that the families of those who work with them are safe regardless of what happens”. 
According to the Commission, the figures acquired from PenCom’s ‘Status of implementation of the CPS in states as at March 2021’ indicated that just five states including the Federal Capital Territory had an insurance cover for it’s employees. 
Recall that Section 4(5) of the PRA 2014, provides that “every employer shall maintain a Group Life Insurance Policy in favour of each employee for a minimum of three times the annual total emolument of the employee and premium shall be paid not later than the date of commencement of the cover”. 
1.2.2 Section 4(6) also provides for situations “where the employer failed, refused or omitted to make payment as and when due, the employer shall make arrangement to effect the payment of claims arising from the death of any staff in its employment during such period”. 
1.2.3 Section 8(1) of the PRA 2014 provides that “where an employee dies, his entitlements under the Life Insurance Policy maintained under this Act shall be paid by an underwriter to the named beneficiary in line with Section 57 of the Insurance Act”. 
1.2.4 Section 9 of the PRA 2014 provides that “where an employee is missing and is not found within a period of one year from the date he was declared missing, and a board of Inquiry set up by the Commission makes a determination that having regards to available information and all relevant circumstances, it is reasonable to presume that the employee is dead, the provisions of Section 8 shall apply”