Fuel scarcity: IPMAN heaps blame on price increase 

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) Benin depot has attributed petrol price hike to scarcity of the product and cost of delivery.

The Benin depot chairman of the association, Mr. Baba Saliu, who disclosed this to journalists in Benin City said steps are being taken to ensure that customers buy the product at affordable price.

He disclosed this after an emergency meeting of the association on Tuesday, adding that the members brainstormed on how they can cushion the effect of petrol price increase on the citizens.

Saliu who also appealed for calm among the citizens said: “The masses should not look at us as enemy. We are business people and we do not want to  over make things difficult for them.

“When the product is not available, the cost of delivery and every other things comes in.

“Some of our members get money from banks. The masses should please bear with us. Even at that, we will make sure our prices have a human face. 

“We had an emergency meeting with Edo State government and security agents on Monday to discuss way forward about scarcity of petrol.

“Stakeholders have now agreed that we have given IPMAN members up to weekend to finish the stock they have because most of them said they bought at a high price.

“As from on Monday, no petrol station will sell above between #300 and N350 per litre of.

“There was petrol scarcity in the State at the weekend, and when available, it sold for between #500 and #550 a little.”