******Request for daily stock record is statutory requirement — DPR
Oil marketers under the aegis of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria on Sunday threatened to embark on an industrial action over alleged extortion by officials of the Department of Petroleum Resources. This could lead to fuel scarcity.
Marketers under the Suleja/Abuja Unit of IPMAN told journalists in Abuja that they would have to down tools on Monday (today) should officials of DPR fail to refrain from the alleged extortion of oil dealers.
Chairman of the unit, Yahaya Alhassan, also stated that the request by DPR for daily transaction records from filling stations was another bone of contention.
He said, “IPMAN has no other alternative than to instruct our members not to load from Suleja depot in Niger State as a way of expressing our frustrations after all efforts to make DPR officials desist from unethical practices failed.
“IPMAN Suleja/Abuja Unit needs explanation from DPR concerning the demand for daily sale activities from filling stations. These issues have to be resolved before we can commence lifting of products from the depot.”
When contacted on the matter, the Vice President, IPMAN, Abubakar Maigandi, told our correspondent that the national body of the association was aware of the development.
He, however, stated that IPMAN at the national level had commenced moves to halt the strike, as it had invited the affected unit and was also consulting the DPR in order to forestall the strike.
“We are aware of the threat to embark on strike by our Abuja/Suleja Unit but we are intervening in the matter to stop the strike,” Maigandi said.
Responding to the allegations, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) says request for daily stock of products supplied is a statutory regulatory requirement for any retail outlet license holder at no cost to marketers.
The Department disclosed this in a statement signed by Head of Public Affairs, Mr Paul Osu, in Abuja, on Sunday.
It said the request enables DPR to provide accurate petroleum products consumption data for the country.
“Our attention has been drawn to a misunderstanding over the request for daily stock records by the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR.
“This development follows an online publication on allegations of extortion against the DPR by the Independent Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, Suleja/Abuja branch on the stock request.
“We want to state for the records that request for daily stock of products supplied is a statutory regulatory requirement for any retail outlet license holder, which enables DPR to provide accurate petroleum products consumption data for the country.
“This regulatory oversight is at no cost to the retail outlets,’’ he said
He said that the provision of the daily stock report, which was also applicable to petroleum products depots also enabled DPR to provide investment guide to investors in line with its role as a buisness enabler and opportunity house for the oil and gas industry.
“The Department wishes to inform all marketers that all applications and applicable statutory fees for retail outlet operations have been migrated online- www.dpr.gov.ng in furtherance of the federal government’s ease of doing buisness policy.
“The Department charges all marketers to report any noticeable infraction or perceived illegality by our officers, as we will continue to engage all our stakeholders in ensuring energy security for Nigerians,’’ he said
