Anambra moves to check petrol price hike

…Meets petroleum dealers

ANAMBRA State Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources,  Anthony Ikechukwu Ifeanya has met with Petroleum Dealers Association of Nigeria (PEDAN), Anambra State, over the continuous increase and uneven Premium Motor Spirits (PMS) prices in the state against the agreed price the association had with the state government.

  Reading  the letter sent to him by the Civil Rights Activists on the issue of fuel hike in the state, the commissioner  told the dealers that hike in PMS had led to fare increase by transporters, affecting commuters’ daily activities.

  He  further to expressed  his disappointment on the poor response of the #120,000.00 yearly due, adding that not up to one quarter of the filling stations have paid, even as he urged them to  make use of their conscience while fixing the PMS prices and not to be concerned only on  making profit.

  Vice Chairman, PEDAN, Anambra State, Mr. Emmanuel Ekwue explained that the  price issues were  because dealers were unable to obtain PMS, adding that some of the dealers were yet to receive products they ordered since November, 2022.

  He noted that obtaining the products when they are finally available would also mean making extra payments to match the current prices of PMS per litre, calling on government to offer reliefs to the dealers especially as they go beyond Enugu depot originally designated to them to source for fuel as the depot is no longer functional.

  The Independent Petroleum Marketing Association (IPMAN), representative, Mr. Chibueze Umeugochukwu added that dealers currently sell PMS in line with prices they obtained the products from other depots in the country.

  He  pleaded with the federal government to fix the refineries in the country as the cost and time expended in taking petroleum outside the country for refining cause the unavailability of PMS in the country and the hike in price by dealers once there is fuel scarcity.