Queues at filling stations may linger if consumers continue to patronise only selected outlets with cheaper rates, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has warned.
Non-uniformity of fuel prices at various filling stations has been identified as the cause of queues in stations that sell at lower rates.
The National Operations Controller of IPMAN, Mike Osatuyi stated that despite the increased supply of petrol in the country, long queues have persisted in some filling stations.
Investors King gathered that these selected filling stations sell fuel to motorists and other consumers below N200 per litre, hence the increased patronage.
Osatuyi said, “there is petrol in the country. No more scarcity, however, the long queues you still see on the expressways is caused by those who want to buy petrol at N180 per litre.
“Otherwise, those who can afford the more expensive product can easily drive into other stations and buy without queuing up.”
Investors King learnt that Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) stations sell at N179 per litre, major oil marketers sell at N180 per litre while private filling stations still dispense theirs at over N200 per litre.
In an internal memo obtained on Monday signed by IPMAN’s President, Chinedu Okoronkwo, members of the association across the country were informed that IPMAN will not continue with the NNPC Limited Customer Express system.
With this, a new directive was issued that the over 30,000 members of the Oil Marketers association should register with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Retail. This is to take effect by January 1, 2023.
However, firms who had booked and paid using the former system were assured of getting their products.
The memo further directed the petroleum marketers to book their new orders using the new platform.