The Kano State government through the Kano Consumer Protection Council has called on petroleum marketers to reduce the pump price of petroleum products in line with the recent decline in global market prices.
The Executive Chairman of the KSCPC, Dr. Ibrahim Garba Muhammad, made the appeal during a meeting with leadership of the State branch of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria on Tuesday.
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The meeting which was at the instance of the council was aimed at finding lasting solutions to the rising cost of petroleum products in Kano State.
According to a statement on Wednesday by Jamilu Yakasai, Director of Public Enlightenment and Education of the KSCPC, Dr. Muhammad expressed serious concern that petrol prices have remained high despite the drop in international market prices.
“We want to use this opportunity to call on petroleum marketers through their leadership in the state to adjust pump prices to ease the burden on consumers,”: the statement quoted the executive chairman as saying.
The chairman also raised concerns over persistent complaints of fuel under-dispensing at some filling stations across the state, calling on IPMAN to strengthen its internal monitoring mechanisms to ensure that marketers dispense the correct quantity of fuel and sell at fair prices.
He stressed that protecting consumers is a shared responsibility and reaffirmed that the law establishing the Council empowers it to monitor the quality and pricing of goods and services consumed by the public, including petroleum products.
Muhammad further assured IPMAN of the Council’s readiness to work closely with the association to promote fairness, transparency and consumer confidence in the downstream petroleum sector.
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Responding, the Chairman of IPMAN in Kano State, Alhaji Gana Abubakar, explained that many marketers were still selling fuel purchased at higher prices before the recent decline in market rates.
He said this had delayed an immediate reduction in pump prices.
He, however, assured consumers that noticeable price adjustments would be made once marketers begin selling new supplies procured at lower costs.
Abubakar also acknowledged that fuel under-dispensing remains a serious concern for the association, describing the practice as illegal and unjust.
He pledged the IPMAN’s full cooperation with the council to eliminate litre inaccuracy and ensure consumers receive value for their money.
He commended the KSCPC for convening the meeting, describing the engagement as timely and productive.
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The statement added that both the KSCPC and IPMAN agreed to collaborate in addressing fuel under-dispensing and other unfair practices at filling stations to safeguard the interests of consumers across Kano State.
Investigation by the Punch revealed that despite the reduction in global market prices, fuel marketers in Kano were still selling the product between N1,350 per litre and N1,380 per litre.
