The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) says marketers have temporarily stopped loading petrol at the Dangote refinery.

Oyewole Akanni, zonal chairman of IPMAN, western zone, announced the development in an interview with NAN.

He said the development, propelled by Dangote refinery’s suspension of petrol loading operations at its gantry, has compelled marketers to obtain petrol from private depots at considerably higher prices.

Akanni said uncertainty surrounding petrol prices has caused many marketers to suspend new purchases, resulting in the temporary closure of some filling stations.

“The non-availability of fuel at some filling stations and the closure of others are due to fluctuations in the price of lifting fuel from depots,” he said.

“Since Dangote Refinery stopped selling PMS about four days ago, private depot owners have increased their prices.

“Many filling stations that have exhausted their stock are waiting to see whether prices will come down when Dangote refinery resumes sales or increase further.”

The IPMAN official said only a limited number of marketers are currently purchasing petrol due to the prevailing uncertainty.

He, however, insisted that there is no fuel shortage and urged motorists and other consumers to avoid panic buying.

“There is no fuel scarcity, members of the public should not panic,” Akanni said.

“Although there is a possibility of an increase in pump price, if the current situation persists.”

The zonal chairman explained said Dangote refinery neither gave prior notice nor explained the reason for the suspension of sales of petrol to marketers.

Akanni said four truckloads of petrol meant for his stations had remained at the refinery since the suspension of loading.

“I was supposed to have received four truckloads of PMS since four days ago, but that has not happened because the trucks are at the Dangote refinery, which has not been selling,” he said.

“The company is not even loading its own trucks. They are all parked there.”

The IPMAN chairman said the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited was also affected because it also sourced products from the Dangote refinery.

On July 16, TheCable reported that fuel importers are set to increase the depot price of petrol from N1,230 per litre to N1,350.