Independent marketers must be patriotic to end fuel scarcity – Energy expert

An energy expert and chairman of Skymark Energy and Power Ltd, Muhammad Saleh Hassan, has called on independent marketers and stakeholders in the country’s energy sector to be patriotic and prioritise the interest of the masses to tackle the lingering fuel crisis.

Hassan, who stated this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja at the weekend, noted that the marketers had strong roles to play in the efforts to unravel the crisis, which appears to have defied solutions despite government’s efforts.

“In this circumstance we have found ourselves, marketers and stakeholders should be patriotic by supporting government in the interest of the masses.

“A critical situation like this is not a time we should be thinking of our personal interest and gains alone. We should also think of the interest of the people.

“You are not supposed to take advantage of the situation by insisting that you want to make more money by hoarding the product or sending it to the black market, or diverting it to other destinations where you think you can add transport cost and make more gains. That is not right. We should be patriotic at a time like this so that the country can come out of this quagmire.

“I, therefore, call on independent marketers, particularly the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), as well as the Petroleum and Natural Gas Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and others to support the government in proffering a lasting solution in the interest of the masses,” Hassan said.

He said patriotism and not subsidy removal would solve the current problem, adding that the removal of subsidy would further overstretch the economy.