Logistics, Not Taxation, Behind Fuel Scarcity in Ebonyi – State Govt

…….warns petroleum dealers to shun panic buying

By Uchenna Okeh, Abakaliki

Ebonyi State government led by governor Francis Nwifuru on Wednesday dispelled the rumour making the rounds that the recent fuel scarcity witnessed in the state was as a result of over taxation allegedly imposed on petroleum dealers by the state government.

The Senior Special Assistant to the state government on Petroleum, Nwafor Nnnaemeka, disclosed that the scarcity of PMS stemmed from logistical challenges affecting fuel supply across the country.

Nnnaemeka emphasized that the current hitches in fuel distribution by NNPC and other major distributors in the country, are primarily due to logistics issues, particularly in the maintenance of refineries and disruptions in supply chains.

He assured Ebonyians that efforts are underway to address these challenges swiftly, with the aim of restoring normalcy to fuel availability in Ebonyi and beyond.

“The state government under the leadership of governor, Francis Nwifuru
has been working tirelessly to improve the welfare of Ebonyians and their needs are not being left out the way of getting in investors to come into Ebonyi is not to scare them away; he wants Ebonyi to be the center of investors.

“Unnecessary taxation of fuel stations is not being invoked in Ebonyi; it is not true. Fuel stations, by the past administration, were engulfed with a levy which the present administration cut down.

“They were formally collecting 200,000 naira from all the fuel stations as per IGR, but the present administration came in and said no, we are determined on the welfare of Ebonyians, and then the price of 200,000 has to be slashed to 100,000. So, you wouldn’t say it is high taxation on petroleum dealers in Ebonyi; it is not done,” he said.

In a swift reaction, the Chairman of Petroleum Dealers Association in Ebonyi State, Njaka Silas, dismissed the allegations of fuel hoarding or over taxation by the state government, stating that such claims were unfounded and contrary to the cooperative atmosphere fostered by the government.

“The governor, through his assistance, has made fuel to be flourishing more than other places. Somebody called me from Nsukka and said that fuel is sold for 950 naira there. You can’t get that in Ebonyi State because the enablement has been given to us.

“On taxation, that rumour is baseless. We have never had it like this before by the present government. There is nothing like taxation of marketers or dealers. We are romancing very peacefully with the state government, because the governor has given us a very good opportunity to thrive and do our business.”

Njaka however, urged Ebonyians to remain calm and refrain from panic buying, assuring them that measures are being taken to resolve the supply challenges.

“In no distant time, this problem will be solved. We appeal to our members to avoid panic buying; just give it some time. Nigeria is not closing; fuel business is not closing. All hands are on deck now to rectify the issue within the shortest period of time. Fuel will flourish, and we will forget about all these scarcities.

“I debunk seriously that taxation is the cause of scarcity. It is a baseless rumour that cannot be found anywhere. We have no issue with the government to say that the government is overtaxing us; we are happy with the environment,” he stated.