By: Felix Ikpotor
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, Rivers State branch says it is happy that the Port Harcourt Refinery has finally gotten back on stream.
Recall that the Port Harcourt Refinery which had been in hiatus for a long period followed by a prolonged period of refurbishment with several unachievable dates of commencement, resumed dispensing of petroleum products on Tuesday.
Reacting to the development, Chairman of IPMAN in the state, Tekena Ikpaki said the body is super excited that the refinery has finally been put back to work.
He said the resumption of activity at the refinery would benefit the generality of the masses.
“Today is a remarkable day for us as a union. It’s a day that was long expected, it’s a reality, trucks have been coming in and loading products since morning and we have been here to witness the process.
“It’s still a test run, in no distant time trucks would fill the whole place to load products and we’ll all benefit from it,” he said.
Commenting on the agreement between Dangote Refinery and IPMAN, Ikpaki said the competition in the system now between Dangote and NNPCL would further push down the price of petroleum products.
“This is the best thing that can happen to Nigeria. There is super competition now in the system which is in favour of entire Nigerians. When NNPCL and Dangote are competing Nigerians will enjoy the dividends and I believe since the refinery has come up on stream and Dangote is also there, it would further push down price of the product.
“Over the weekend Dangote had announced price reduction both on the marine and trucking. From this event of today, price reduction will continue to be experienced and it will favour the entire nation,” Ikpaki stated.
