Why long fuel queues may return in several parts of Nigeria
The lingering fuel scarcity across Nigeria is over four months now.
While Nigerians continue to struggle with the unavailability of petrol at the official pump price, there are indications that the fuel scarcity may linger much longer across the country.
In a statement by Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria, DAPPMAN Executive Secretary, the federal government has been given a 14-day ultimatum to settle a N650 billion debt its allegedly owed its members.
Adewole threatened that failure to meet the deadline will force its members to disengage their workers.
Adewole maintained that there is no other way to solve the problems of increasing debt burdens of borrowing to pay staff than to immediately commence massive staff disengagement.
He said, “The unfortunate primary fallout of this step is the likely shut down of all DAPPMAN depots nationwide due to lack of manpower to operate same pending the time the federal government will pay off its indebtedness to petroleum marketers.
“This unfortunately will have a multiplier effect on the nationwide supply and distribution of petroleum products which presently is still a struggle.”
Adewole further revealed that a letter dated January 24, has since been addressed to the presidency.
He, however, lamented that the government failed to respond to the plight of petroleum marketers, many of whom have become financially insolvent.
“We are continually under pressure from our banks/AMCON, with looming threats of imminent take-over of our petrol stations and tank farms.
“In the light of the above and after exhausting all formal avenues to secure payment of these debts, we have given government notice to the likelihood of disengaging our personnel.
The unfortunate primary fallout of this step is the likely shut down of all DAPPMAN depots nationwide due to lack of manpower to operate same pending the time the government will pay off its indebtedness to petroleum marketers.
“This unfortunately will have a multiplier effect on the nationwide supply and distribution of petroleum products which presently is still a struggle,’’ Adewole added.
