Capital oil, marketers trade blame over sharp practices

CAPITAL oil and gas industries limited has blacklisted some petroleum marketers for selling above the official price of N87 per litre. While describing the diversion of petroleum products to locations other than those approved by relevant authorities as unpatriotic, the oil firm explained that the ban has become necessary to save Nigerians from unscrupulous practices that ultimately affect the citizens who are forced to buy products at unapproved locations above the fixed price of N87/litre for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

It declared that since Capital Oil & Gas distributes a high percentage of petroleum products consumed daily nationwide, the general perception held by some filling station operators and end users may be that the company is an accomplice in the conspiracy.

The statement, which was signed by the Director Media Services of the oil firm, Afam Ilounoh added: “Going forward, only marketers that are willing to comply with the directive to deliver petroleum product loaded for designated locations or filling stations and sold at the stipulated prices will be allowed to load from our terminal.”

The company stated that it is fully aware that the ban will likely generate lots of threats, intimidation and blackmail from various quarters especially those involved in these activities, saying, “ we shall not be deterred.”

It restated its determination to join hands with the relevant government agencies to ensure products loaded from its terminal are discharged at designated filling stations nationwide in line with directives given at various stakeholders’ meetings held with relevant government agencies.

The company restated its commitment to making petroleum products available to Nigerians at the prices stipulated by the relevant government agencies and have indeed played a vital role in ensuring constant availability of petroleum products nationwide.

It further: ”In recent times, we have received hard knocks from some of our colleagues in the industry especially when we defied the last strike that almost crippled economic activities nationwide.

An ugly situation that shutdown services rendered by telecommunication companies, difficulty in road transportation and flight cancellations as well as inability of hospitals, hotels, government offices etc to function due to non-availability of petroleum products to power their generators and vehicles.”