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Fuel Scarcity: IPMAN Threatens Sanction On Members …As PPPRA Assures On Product Supply
L-R: President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Minister of State for Works, Amb. Bashir Yuguda and Vice President Namadi Sambo, at the 20th Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja, recently.
Following the recurring petrol scarcity in Lagos and its environs, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has vowed to penalise marketers indulging in fuel hoarding in its Western zone.
The IPMAN Chairman of the zone, Mr Olumide Ogunmade, said this in an interview with yesterday in Lagos.
Ogunmade said that a joint task force by IPMAN and the NNPC had been set up to monitor fuel retailing in the zone, to ensure that marketers were not hoarding the product.
He, however, lauded the efforts of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) toward ensuring equitable distribution of petrol across the nocks and crannies of the country.
“We will not hesitate to sanction any erring marketer caught hoarding the product.
“A joint task force between NNPC and IPMAN had been set up to monitor filling stations and sanction them accordingly,” he said.
Ogunmade said the efforts of the NNPC to address fuel scarcity in the western parts of the country had received a boost with the loading of 197 trucks recently.
“I want to confirm to Nigerians and marketers that with the level of petrol injected into the western zone by NNPC, there is no cause for panic buying and hoarding,” the chairman said.
Ogunmade said that the volume of petrol pumped into in the market was part of efforts aimed at restoring normalcy to the fuel scarcity situation in the western parts of the country.
He insisted that petroleum products supplied to the zone were enough to address fuel challenges in the zone.
Ogunmade lauded the programmes of the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC), a subsidiary of the NNPC, saying that without those programmes, the sanity in the downstream oil sector would not have been possible.
He said the Managing Director of the PPMC, Prince Haruna Momoh, had initiated different types of programmes, which allowed marketers to receive, distribute and market petroleum products with ease.
Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary, Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency, (PPPRA), Mr Ahmed Farouk, has urged Nigerians to stop panic buying of petrol.
He announced that more than nine vessels are currently discharging the product across the country.
Farouk, who made this known yesterday in Abuja, when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), said that about 200million litres of the product would soon be released into the market.
He, therefore, urged Nigerians to remain calm adding that there was adequate supply of petroleum product at depots across the country.
“As it is today, from our report, we have over nine vessels currently engaged in discharging products in various depots across the country; from Calabar to Oghara.
“We have 200million litres being discharged by various vessels currently as at today.
“So, there is no need for any panic because we have the product there. The general public should be calm and go about their normal businesses.
He admitted that the delay in the payment of oil marketers was responsible for the initial fuel crisis but explained all outstanding debts had been settled by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and the Federal Ministry of Finance.
According to him, all pending payments due to oil marketers have been paid as at last week, assuring that Nigerians would not experience scarcity again
A member of the Senate Committee on Petroleum (downstream), Sen. Danjuma Goje, decried the inability of the authorities to resolve the problem surrounding the importation of petroleum products into the country.
The development, he said, brought unnecessary suffering on the people.
“I will advise the Ministry of Finance or the NNPC or whatever agency is responsible for paying the importers, to do their work promptly so that we don’t experience this kind of fuel scarcity again,” he said.
The Chairman of the Committee, Sen. Magnus Abe, said that considering the assurances given by the PPPRA boss, the country had no cause to witness another fuel scarcity.
“So, we can take your word for it that products are available and that there is no need for the public to panic.
“We need to confirm from PPMC exactly what is being done to ensure that these products are effectively distributed across the country,” he said.
The Hausa Community in Rivers State has dissociated itself from media reports credited to one MaiwadaAdamu that the Arewa Community in Rivers State has appointed Alhaji Musa Saidu as the acting SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt, following the inability of the former SarkinHausawa, Alhaji Isa Madaki to carry out his functions.
MaidawaAdamu, who is also the spokesman of the Arewa Initiative for Peaceful Co-existence, had briefed journalists on the change, but in a swift reaction, the Office of Alhaji Isa Madaki, has come out to say that the only recognised body which has the powers to appoint the SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt is the Council of SarkinHausawa in PortHarcourt headed by Alhaji Isa Madaki.
The statement also said Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki is the only recognisedSarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, adding that his appointment follows the proclamation and endorsement by the council members of SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The statement further called on the general public and all authorities concerned to give Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki maximum co-operation and support,as he discharges his duties as SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt.
The Suspended Rivers State Commissioner for health, Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, has described as baseless allegations in some quarters that she was responsible for the purported disruption of the Nigerian First Lady’s empowerment program in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh, who said this in a statement personally signed by her and a copy made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt also described the allegation as a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers
According to Dr Oreh, “they are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord”
In her words,”the allegations levelled against me, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, regarding the supposed disruption of the First Lady’s empowerment programme on Friday 2nd May, 2025, are entirely unfounded, completely false, and a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers and conflict entrepreneurs.
“They are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord.”
The suspended commissioner challenged those behind the allegation, especially the Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation to show proof of its assertion adding “It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I challenge the “Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation” (assuming such a body really exists) to provide tangible proof to support their assertions.
“It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I have neither sponsored nor will sponsor any activities aimed at embarrassing or disrupting the activities of the administration appointed by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to oversee the affairs of Rivers State following his declaration of a state of emergency on Tuesday, 18th March, 2025, and have rather spent the time of my suspension from office focused on other endeavours and my doctoral studies.
“I reaffirm my commitment to working tirelessly for the progress and development of Rivers State.
“Furthermore, I believe that it is crucial for all stakeholders to promote a culture of truth, integrity, and respect in public discourse.
“Unsubstantiated wild claims undermine trust and hinder constructive engagement, and this is not what the state needs at this difficult and delicate time.
“I urge everyone to focus on issues that unite us and foster a positive, solution-driven dialogue for the betterment of our State, and urge everyone to work together to build a brighter future for Rivers State, grounded in truth, transparency, and collective effort,”she said.
By: John Bibor
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has called on key regulators, asset owners and other stakeholders to continue to support the agency toward the goal of remediating the Ogoni environment and restoring the livelihoods of the people and building structures for peace.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who made the call during the Project’s first quarter meeting with regulators, asset owners and stakeholders in Port Harcourt, urged the stakeholders to remain resolute in supporting HYPREP’s work.
“We particularly expect each regulatory agency and asset owner to deepen their involvement and continue to provide strategic support to the project”, he said, stressing that the quarterly meeting platform remains instrumental in providing a structural avenue for regulators, asset owners, and implementation partners to offer feedback to HYPREP on project performance and deliberate on ideas that move the project forward, as well as strengthen collaboration, deepen synergy and reinforce collective responsibility.
Zabbey disclosed that the socio-economic study of Ogoni has started, as HYPREP has contacted the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organisation(WHO) to commence in the next quarter a three-year human health biomonitoring in Ogoniland.
He noted that work on several fronts of the cleanup project is progressing steadily, adding that as key project partners, the insights and shared experience of the regulators and asset owners have always enriched HYPREP’s operations.
He said the policy thrust of HYPREP for 2025 is clear, as the Project is intensifying efforts to complete within stated timelines, the various ongoing projects, including remediation works and mangrove restoration, potable water facilities, the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, the Ogoni Power Project, Ogoni Specialist Hospital, and Buan Cottage Hospital, among others.
Zabbey, however, announced that HYPREP would commence new set of shoreline cleanup, mangrove restoration and livelihood projects, to sustain the momentum of implementing the Ogoni cleanup, adding that the agency would also conduct detailed site characterisation of the high-risk complex sites, leading to remediation works at the sites.
He noted that HYPREP’s collaboration with Rivers State Ministries of Health, Power and Environment, and civil society organisations remains vital, stressing that the technical and administrative support of all relevant government agencies and funding partners is indispensable in helping HYPREP overcome operational bottlenecks, especially those encountered in interfacing with host communities.
He further indicated that “the people of Ogoni and the nation are looking to us with hope and expectation, and expect tangible results from the remediation initiative”, assuring the participants that the Project Coordination Office is committed to delivering positive results.
“We must, therefore, continue to work with diligence, transparency, and a renewed sense of purpose”, he declared, saying, “ the completion and commissioning of projects this year must reflect not only our technical ability but also our collective commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable development in Ogoni.”
During the interactive session, the Project Coordinator briefed the participants on the progress made so far by HYPREP to conclude the distribution of starter packs to the 5,000 Ogoni trainees, and called on contractors who had already collected huge chunk of money for the project, to deliver without further delay.
In all, the regulators, asset owners and stakeholders commended HYPREP for the good works it is doing, and urged it to do more.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency(NOSDRA) was represented at the event by Deputy Director, Oil Field Assessment, Dr Abam Komommo Omini, while Dr Vincent Nwachukwu, Director of Medical Services, represented the Rivers State Ministry of Health.
The Rivers State Ministries of Water Resources, Power and Environment were represented by Dr Bealo Brownson; Engr K. J. Osele; and Mr James Ordu respectively, while the Society for Women and Youth Affairs (SWAYA); and the Stakeholder Democracy Network(SDN); among other civil society organisations were also at the event.
By: Donatus Ebi