The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has said the renewed artificial scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit in Port Harcourt, Lagos, Abuja, and other states is caused by the ravaging flood in the country.
The chairman of IPMAN in Rivers State, Mr. Joseph Obele, said there is actually no scarcity of the product, but transportation challenges caused by the flood have triggered the scarcity of the product as many highways across the country have been overtaken by water.
Mr. Obele, who is also the governorship candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in Rivers State, warned public members against panic buying, as efforts were being made to transport products to every part of the country via vessels and other alternative routes.
He also seized the opportunity to assure Nigerians of the availability of adequate products in the depots, he tasked flood victims to make good use of their Permanent Voters’ Cards in 2023 by voting for credible leaders.
“The current fuel scarcity in Port Harcourt, Abuja, Lagos, and other surrounding states is caused by the inability of fuel trucks to have access to loading depots due to the flood pandemic.
“The roads are flooded; however, there is enough fuel stock, and I hereby appeal to members of the public to avoid panic buying as all efforts have been made to supply petroleum products via vessels.
“Also, we are planning trucking through alternative routes as we speak.
“IPMAN and AAC also pray to God to give the flooded communities the needed strength to fight out this tough time, while we also advised people in flooded communities to make good use of their PVCs at the next elections,” he said.