Sokoto State and Independent Petroleum Marketers (IPMAN) have reached a
deal that both parties said will ensure availability and affordability of
petroleum products in all parts of the state.
The government had threatened to revoke the Certificate of Occupancy (C of
O) of any sales outlet hoarding petroleum products, a situation that has
thrown parts of the state into artificial scarcity for over two weeks now.
The deal was struck at a meeting between the state Governor, Aminu Waziri
Tambuwal, Sokoto state chapter of IPMAN, led by Chairman Sulaiman Magaji,
and members of the State Task Force on availability of petroleum products.
Speaking at the meeting, Tambuwal said the state government will make
available its fuel storage facilities to the marketers to enable them store
enough supply for distribution.
“We have a facility that can store 1.8 million litres of fuel here in
Sokoto, we will make it available to marketers for you to store enough fuel
for your stations and ensure it is available to the people at affordable
prices.
“In the last few days, I have been fully briefed about the challenges you
are facing especially payment of debts owed by the Federal Government. As a
government, we will take up your case in Abuja to ensure prompt payment,”
the Governor stated.
According to him, government will adopt both the stick and carrot approach
in dealing with the marketers, repeating his earlier warning that any
station caught hoarding fuel will face the full wrath of the law.
In his remarks, Magaji said his members will explore all available avenues
to ensure fuel supply is restored to normal in the state.
“Let me say here that all trucks sent to Sokoto will be dispensed and sold
to the people without further delay. Similarly, all major marketers in
Abuja and Lagos who are indigenes of Sokoto will be brought on board to
help in improving the situation,” he added.
While commending the state government for its keen interest in ensuring the
problem is resolved, the chairman expressed delight at government’s
commitment to tackle various problems bedeviling fuel supply chain in the
state.
*CAPTION: Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal exchanging pleasantries with oil
marketers after their meeting on the current suel supply situation in