The crises occasioned by the infamous toxic petrol, and made uneasy for the economy since two months, changed gear last weekend with ultimatum from the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), petroleum products marketers.
In the statement issued by the oil sector logistics group, the marketers have been given a 24 hours ultimatum to go back to the official depots’ price of petrol or risk what they described as ‘unpleasant consequences.’
In a statement signed by the union’s president, Prince William Akporeha, and general secretary, Afolabi Olawale, NUPENG accused the marketers of selling PMS (Petrol) from the depots at prices much higher than the official rate prompting illegal increases in the pump price in the outlets
“Our attention and empathy have been drawn to the harrowing experiences and pains of Nigerians due to the exploitative and unscrupulous activities and tendencies of petroleum products marketers who taking advantage of the seeming gaps and teething challenges in the implementation of Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to enrich themselves at the expense of the country and the people.
“It is an undeniable fact that the Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, is still under subsidy regime, and we find it disheartening and worrisome that these unscrupulous marketers are selling Petrol from the depots at prices far above the official rate.
“We are giving these marketers twenty-four (24) hours with effect from midnight of Sunday, 27th February 2022 to revert to official rate or we shall name and shame them as public enemy’s aside from other sanctions.”
Meanwhile the fuel queues at the filling stations, which abated slightly towards the weekend retuned in full force since last Friday.
Chidi Ekpewerechi (with Sunday Elom)
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