The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has threatened to hike the price of petroleum at the pump.
IPMAN made the threat while urging the Lagos State government to reduce the electronic call-up parking fee from N12,500 to N2,500.
Mr Chinedu Ukadike, IPMAN’s National Publicity Secretary, in an interview with NAN on Tuesday in Lagos, made the appeal.
Ukadike stated that the appeal is necessary to avert the potential rise in the price of petroleum at the pump.
Recall that the Lagos government, via the Electronic Call-up Systems Company, recently raised the truck parking fee from N2,500 to N12,500.
This decision triggered a protest on Monday, during which truck drivers suspended operations, affecting deliveries from Dangote Refinery and Lekki Deep Seaport.
Ukadike said stakeholders at a recent meeting unanimously agreed the parking fee should return to N2,500, calling the current rate excessive.
“The imposed amount is exorbitant and unbearable for marketers. It will inevitably lead to an increase in the pump price of petrol,” Ukadike said.
He emphasised that the aim of their actions is to ensure stable energy supply and security nationwide.
Meanwhile, truck operators under the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) also protested along the Lekki-Epe corridor.
Alh. Yusuf Othman, National President of NARTO, confirmed that loading activities have been temporarily halted in objection to the revised fee.
“We’ve not declared a strike, only suspended loading at Lekki Port and Dangote Refinery because N12,500 per truck is too high,” he explained.
Othman added that while they support the electronic call-up system, the associated cost must be fair and sustainable.
He confirmed that discussions with Lagos State government officials are ongoing to find a reasonable solution.