The Chairman of Bopoy Investment Limited, member Independent Petreloeum Marketers Association of Nigeria and also National Coordinator for IPMAN in South West Zone,Alhaji Busari Olakunle Moruf, has said  that  Nigerian National Petreleum Corporation is the sole agent behind the unavailability of fuel in Oyo state.

He said this in an exclusive interview with CEOAfrica';s correspondent today at his Oke - Ado office, Ibadan.

 Alhaji Busari, said the shortage in the supply of petroleum product has created high demand which in turn has caused the scarcity being experienced across the state now.

Explaining further, the oil marketer said that based on a recent survey, the number of trucks available to service all the filling stations in Oyo and Osun state from the Apata depot, Ibadan was less than 15 trucks and this in the long run will affect the supply as not all stations will be able to get access to a truck of fuel. "The major issue is that NNPC do not have enough fuel and this is because they are the sole importer of PMS, severally they have owned up to the allegations of being the reason behind the fuel scarcity," he added.

Commenting on the hike of the stipulated price, Alhaji Busari said that, "Often times it had been observed that when the system is distorted, the masses blame it on independent marketers which is quite unfortunate."

He further explained that in as much he does not advocate for marketers to sell at higher price, the factors that militate against getting fuel at official prices forces most marketers to hike the price.

Alhaji Busari pointed out that the distribution chart in use presently was made in 2016 and this has limited some stations as they did not get access to a single liter of fuel throughout 2017 from the depot. This invariably has made those who fell into those category to patronise other private sources in Lagos state as they could not afford to close down their station.

He commented that these markerters who go this extra mile have to consider all these expenses from bank loans to transportation. "It is not as if they find joy in putting hardship on the shoulders of Nigerians”, he emphasised.

However, private marketers also sell to middle men (third parties) who can pay higher prices, this in turn makes it difficult for independent marketers to get directly from the private tank farm owners and therefore be compelled to buy from these middle men who do not have investments in the downstream.

He encourged the government to look into this area as it is "killing" independent marketers. If they were to get it at the required price, there will be no need for increment in fuel price.

When asked how soon he the fuel scarcity will end, he said " I am not a civil servant, NNPC is in the best position to answer that." He also said with the present stage, there seem to be a bit of normalsy as a few marketers are still getting the product to sell although it may require people queuing up at fuel pumps. He stressed that through these unavailability, it is still necessary that independent martketers sell at the stipulated price as anyone who defaults will be disciplined by the necessary panel.

He encouraged the people of Oyo state to be peaceful, law abiding as he is sure the government of the day will stand up to its responsibilties.

Packaged by  Shobukola Temitayo