Petrol Filling Stations in states within the North-East have not complied fully to the directive of the Federal Government to reduce pump price of PMS from N145 per litre, to N125.
SEE ALSO: JUST IN: NNPC issues statement on the reduction of petrol price to N125 per litre
Survey by News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa, Yobe and Borno states indicated that only few Independent Petroleum Marketers have complied, just as Major Marketers are among the defaulters in one of the states.
While some hinged their non-compliance to non-receipt of formal directives from the above, others said they would have to exhaust their old stocks, lest they incurre losses.
In Bauchi, some Filling Stations have effected the new pump price of N125 per liter, while others have not.
NAN Correspondent who monitored developments in the town, reports that the stations that had not complied, are claiming not receiving a formal directive on the matter.
Manager of AHMIS filling station, who reluctantly spoke to NAN but declined to give his name, said they were waiting for “orders from above”, adding that hopefully, by tomorrow (Friday), “the changes might be effected”.
At another station, U.I.G petroleum and Transport Investment, an attendant at the station said although they were still operating the old price, he was optimistic that the new price regime would be effected “soon.”
“Probably, the order to sell it at N125 per litre will have to be issued before selling starts.” he said.
However, NAN checks at A.Y.M shafa and Wikki Oil Ltd filling stations indicated that the two stations had effected the change in price as indicated by their dispensing machines.
Alhaji Abdullahi Illiyasu, Bauchi Comptroller of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), told NAN that he anticipated such development .
“I know the normal complaint by the Marketers is that they bought the product at high cost and its not viable for them to dispense at lower price.
“We are talking with our headquarters in Abuja and I assure you that before the end of the week, all issues will be sorted out.
“But before then, I will advise dealers and marketers to comply with the directive of government and adjust to the new price,” he said.
In Damaturu, the Yobe capital, only few filling stations have complied with the directive on the new pump price.
Out of about 20 petrol stations visited by NAN, only the NNPC Mega Station, Kime and Sons petroleum company limited, as well as B.A Malum Petroleum limited had complied with the directive.
Abubakar Hassan, Manager of Hassan Petroleum Ltd, claimed that he thought the new pump price was only applicable to Major Marketers.
Usman Lawan, the Manager of MRS Oil Nigeria Ltd, said he had not received directives from his boss to adjust to the new pump price of N125 per litre.
On his part, Manager of A. H Abuja and Sons, told NAN that the new pump price would only take effect when they received new products.
Meanwhile, members of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria ( IPMAN), Adamawa branch, said they were waiting for official circular from mother union to adjust their pump price to the new rate of N125 per liter.
Alh.Abubakar Butu, state chairman of the association stated this in an interview with NAN, just as he lauded the decision of government to reduce the price.
“We heard the news about the reduction of the pump price , which is a welcome development.
” However, we have not received any circular either from government, or our mother union regarding the new pump price ” Butu said.
NAN reporter who visited some filling stations in Yola said compliance to the directive to reduce the pump price was not encouraging as even Major Marketers had not complied.
Only two filling stations, namely the NNPC Mega station and A.A Rano filling stations in the state have adjusted their pump price and complied with the directive.
When NAN visited the DPR office, the state Controller was said to have travelled to Abuja but a staff of the department (name withheld), said they were yet to receive any official circular on the matter.
” We are waiting for official circular from our headquarter; immediately we receive the circular, we will take measures to enforce the new price,” he said. ( NAN)
In Gombe also, only few Filling Stations have complied with the directive.
Aliyu Ahmed, Director and Transport Officer, Sadiqu Shehu Petroleum station, said that they were yet to receive directives from the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and their Union on the adjustment.
He added that if they sold their current product at N125 per litre, they would incur losses as they bought same at N133 per litre.
Sani Adamu, Pump attendant, Oando, said they were waiting for their Engineer from Yola in Adamawa to come and adjust the pumps.
When contacted, the Controller, DPR Gombe Field Office, Yahaya Maishera, told NAN that he was yet to receive directive on the issue from his Directors.
In Maiduguri, capital of Borno, most Filling Stations have complied, with just few others defaulting.
NAN however observed that most of those who complied were selling at N130 per liter, as against the N125.
Managers of Filling Stations who spoke to NAN complained of incurring losses as their current consignments were purchased at a higher price.