The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) of Enugu Depot, warns that until the Emene depot if reactivated by the Federal government, petrol might cost more in the South-East.

Speaking with journalists in Awka on Friday, the Chairman of Enugu depot of the association, Mr Chinedu Anyaso said the depot had been lying moribund since 2005.

He said the depot was strategic to the national economy, adding that it was serving Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, parts of Imo, Abia, Cross River and North-Central, including Benue State.

Anyako described the cost of transporting products from Lagos, Warri, Benin, Calabar and other locations as huge, adding that marketers do not get their equalisation fund as and when due.

“We want to use this opportunity to renew our appeal to the federal government to repair the Emene depot in Enugu so that our members can start loading products from here.

“This depot has been shutdown for over 15 years due to what they called pipeline vandalism.

“Our members are suffering and the people of the southeast and other areas that source products from the depot are suffering.

“For instance, ex-depot price has been increased to N151.56, we will have to pay additional N14 for transportation and other expenses per litre depending on where we loaded before it is discharged in our stations.

“That will not be the case, if the product is pumped to the depot in Enugu and lifted from there, it will be much cheaper for us and enable us to sell between N160 and N162 per litre.

“We are ready to work with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation on security of pipelines.

“And fixing the Enugu Depot will also help a better deregulated sector, which the federal government is pursing,” Anyaso said.