The National Oil and Gas Suppliers Association (NOGASA) has threatened to cease supplying petroleum products to Akwa Ibom State, citing alleged extortion by the Petroleum Tankers Drivers (PTD) branch of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).
In a press conference held in Uyo, the state chairman of NOGASA, Comrade Sam Osung, revealed that PTD members have been impounding NOGASA trucks and demanding N50,000 in levies from its members within the state. He warned that Akwa Ibom might soon face severe fuel scarcity if the state government and other stakeholders do not intervene to halt these unethical practices.
“It will interest you to know that there are different marketers in the downstream sector such as Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria, and related Associations such as Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria,” Osung said.
He highlighted that NOGASA members supply a wide range of industrial hydrocarbons, including Aviation Turbine Kerosene, Marine Diesel Oil, Marine Gas Oil, Naphtha, Automotive Gas Oil, Dual Purpose Kerosene, Petrochemical Oil (black oil), Bitumen, Blue Oil, Liquefied Petroleum Gas, Compressed Natural Gas, Crude Oil, and Premium Motor Spirit. These products are supplied to factories, industries, telecommunication companies, construction firms, oil companies, and other major end-users across the country.
Osung expressed confusion and frustration over the unique challenges faced in Akwa Ibom, stating, “We buy from depots and pay all trip levies, including that of the PTD branch of NUPENG, across all depots in Nigeria. It is strange having PTD branch of NUPENG impound our trucks in Akwa Ibom and demanding N50,000 from us. This is not happening in any other state in the country except Akwa Ibom.”
He further explained that this extortion happens daily, with products being impounded along the East-West Road in Ikot Abasi and Calabar Itu Road. “Yesterday alone, we had a complaint from seven suppliers whose products even had to be kept on the road till the next day,” Osung lamented.
Recalling a meeting held on April 23, 2024, Osung noted that Governor Umo Eno had convened with selected stakeholders to resolve the crisis between NOGASA and other parties in the downstream sector. During this meeting, the governor advised all groups to pause their activities while a committee was set up to investigate the root causes of the artificially created fuel scarcity, product hoarding, and price hikes resulting from retail outlet closures in Akwa Ibom.
“NOGASA had since adhered to the resolve of the meeting with His Excellency the Governor. The prompt intervention of the government and security agencies is crucial as this may have far-reaching consequences,” Osung stated.
He warned that the suppliers are seriously considering cutting off supplies to Akwa Ibom, which would affect telecommunication companies, construction firms, factories, and industries. “The public should know who to hold responsible if there is any event that will inconvenience product supply in Akwa Ibom,” he concluded.
