‘We Cannot Continue To Sell Fuel At N145 Per Litre’ – Oil Marketers Tells Buhari

The Depot and Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria yesterday insisted that its members can no longer import and sell petrol at N145 per litre. This is even as the Federal Government has set up a committee to find a long term solution to fuel crisis in the country.

On behalf of Buhari, his Chief of Staff, Malam Abba Kyari, met with major stakeholders in the oil sector, at the Old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

DAPMAN Chairman Dapo Abiodun told State House reporters late that there was no subsidy on petrol at the moment.

He said for the price to remain N145/litre, the government had to find other ways to manage the situation as marketers could no longer import and sell at N145. He said:

“There is no subsidy at the moment. The government in its wisdom has decided that the N145 cap will remain because of what they consider will be consequences on Nigerians. This is a government of the people and they believe Nigerians should not be made to buy fuel for more than N145. So if that is to remain then we have to find other ways to manage the situation so that we will continue to sell fuel at N145.

“As far as we are concerned, there is no subsidy in the budget, as far as we are concerned, marketers cannot import and sell at N145. So, government has to find a way and ensure that marketers themselves import alongside NNPC and still sell at N145. So, when we meet with the minister tomorrow (today), we will find solutions to see how that can be sustained,” he stated.

He explained that crude prices had remained relatively stable from January to December until his members lost the ability to import and sell at N145 per litre when the prices went up due to the hurricane Katrina in September/October.

“In the ember months from October to December, the consumption of petrol is highest in the country, so you now have what we call a double warning.