Fuel Marketers Disrupt NNPC Loading Over New Payment Method

The new payment method adopted by the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC), a subsidiary of NNPC, is preventing fuel marketers struggling with compliance from loading.

The aggrieved marketers on Wednesday disrupted the loading of petroleum products at private depots Apapa, Ibadan, Ejigbo and Mosimi that belong to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.

According to Mr. Shina Amoo, the Chairman of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Ore Deport, members of the association blocked the depots with tankers to protest the new payment method.

The new payment method called PPMC Customer Express was suddenly imposed on marketers and the NNPC expected immediate compliance without considering the challenges faced by the marketers.

He said the new payment method gives major marketers and very few independent marketers with access to huge funds edge over small marketers. He explained that those that can pay for 200 trucks will be able to load before those that pay for one or two trucks.

He said, “They must return to the old way of payment, which is also an online payment through Remita. IPMAN members held a meeting last night and decided to block loading depots in Ibadan, Ejigbo, Mosimi and private depots in Apapa.

“IPMAN members blocked the depots this morning with their trucks to protest the new payment method.”

Amoo further stated that the picketing will continue until the PPMC reverts to the previous payment method.

He said, “The new payment requires various prerequisite documents like renewal of bulk purchase, renewal of licence and several other documents that are not readily available.

“Within few days of this new payment method, some northern big marketers have used the situation to shortchange independent marketers in the South-West. With this, fuel scarcity is imminent.

“PPMC Customer Express mode of payment was introduced without consideration for billions of naira worth of tickets which IPMAN members already tied down in NNPC system.”