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In a recent development, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has come forward with allegations of fraud against the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

During a protest held in Apapa, Lagos, the Secretary of IPMAN/NNPC PDO Forum, Folalu Ebenezer, addressed reporters and urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and put a stop to the alleged exploitation in the distribution of petroleum products.

Ebenezer expressed IPMAN’s support for the removal of fuel subsidy but highlighted the need for the President’s attention to be directed towards the alleged racketeering carried out by NNPCL officials.

According to Ebenezer, IPMAN is required to pay in advance for the product supplied by NNPCL through the Authority To Pay (ATP) system for product loading at designated Private Depots (PDO). However, he lamented that despite making the payments months in advance through the NNPCL portal, the marketers are yet to gain access to the products.

He stated, “Some of our members have had tickets for up to nine months before the fuel subsidy removal but have not been able to load products.”

Furthermore, Ebenezer recalled an increment in January 2023, with marketers being obligated to pay an additional sum of N1,072,000 per ticket.

“Even after the payment, our members are yet to lift the products. There are over 4,500 tickets, including 500 Dynamic tickets, that are yet to appear on the portal,” he complained.

In another troubling revelation, Ebenezer accused NNPCL of diverting the products that IPMAN members had paid for to private companies and personal tank farms, further exacerbating the fuel scarcity issue across the country.

The allegations raised by IPMAN, if proven to be true, highlight a clear violation of trust and integrity within Nigeria’s oil industry. It is imperative that these allegations are thoroughly investigated, and if found to be substantiated, appropriate action must be taken to address the issue and hold those responsible accountable.

The Ministry of Petroleum Resources and other relevant authorities must prioritize ensuring transparency and fairness in the distribution of petroleum products, as this is crucial for the stability and progress of our nation’s economy.