12th January, 2018
The factional National President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) Mr Chinedu Okonkwo, has called for synergy between the National Assembly and the association to device a process that would make fuel available to Nigerians.
This, he said, was possible if all the bottlenecks preventing marketers from accessing foreign exchange to import the refined product into the country were removed.
Okonkwo, who made the suggestion on Thursday while briefing journalists in Abuja, urged the government to ensure it tackled the energy problem currently bedeviling the country.
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He said because of the challenge, which usually affected the marketers as they spent more time seeking foreign exchange, they were often forced to obtain the currency anywhere and at any rate, which he said would certainly affect the pump price.
Okonkwo, however, pointed out that the only way to address the fuel crisis was for government to get the local refineries working.
“The refineries have started producing fuel gradually and it will reduce the scarcity. Dangote Refinery will soon come on stream,” he said.
He added that the issues keeping the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) hanging also needed to be resolved to encourage investors to invest in the industry, which will guarantee adequate supply.