*IPMAN backs FG on removal of subsidy
Emma Amaize, Godwin Oghre
& Akpokona Omafuaire
11 December 2011, Sweetcrude, SAPELE – EX-MILITANTS under the aegis of Niger-Delta Revolution Force, NDRF, weekend, called on President Goodluck Jonathan to, as a matter of urgency, bring to book all those who benefitted from the fuel subsidy racket, which was recently uncovered by a Senate Committee.
They made the call in Sapele just as the chairman of the Delta State chapter of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, Chief Akpos Edafevwotu, declared the association’s support for the planned removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government.
The ex-militants, led by Comrade Babatunde Omatseye threatened to regroup and possibly launch attack on oil facilities across Niger-Delta should the federal government fail to go after those who unjustly benefitted from the fuel subsidy.
He noted that the removal of subsidy has not actually affected positively the lives of the people of the people, as they still buy the petroleum products at very high cost.
“We denounce the situation where kerosene is presently sold for N130, fuel N90 and diesel N150 per litre, contrary to the N50, N65 and N90 approved prizes respectively by the petroleum price regulatory body.”
On its part, IPMAN, enjoined President Jonathan to build more refineries to ensure steady availability of petroleum products, adding that total overhaul of the existing refineries was a must to ensure optimal capacity production and products availability.
IPMAN urged Nigerians to support the policies of the federal government in the petroleum sector as it would be beneficial to all in the long run and also urged petroleum product consumers to avoid panic buying.
