IPMAN Threatens Nationwide Shutdown Over Unpaid Bridging Claims and Fuel Scarcity

IPMAN has called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and address the issue, warning of far-reaching consequences if their demands are not met. The association has threatened to suspend lifting of products and shut down all outlets nationwide, which would exacerbate the current fuel scarcity and have severe impacts on the general public.

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) Depot Chairmen Forum has issued a stern warning, threatening to withdraw its services and shut down all operations if the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) fails to pay its members' outstanding bridging claims of N200 billion. This threat comes amidst the current fuel scarcity in the country, which IPMAN attributes to its inability to source petroleum products.

According to Alhaji Yahaya Alhassan, Chairman of the IPMAN Depot Chairmen Forum, the association's members are not hoarding fuel, contrary to popular belief. Instead, they are struggling to access products from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) due to high costs and logistical issues. Alhassan emphasized that IPMAN members are facing significant hardships, with some forced to shut down their businesses and retrench employees.

The NNPC Ltd. has attributed the fuel scarcity to logistical issues, which have since been resolved. However, IPMAN remains unsatisfied with the NMDPRA's handling of the bridging claims, which were mandated to be cleared within 40 days by the Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, in February. To date, only N13 billion has been paid, leaving a significant balance outstanding.

IPMAN has called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and address the issue, warning of far-reaching consequences if their demands are not met. The association has threatened to suspend lifting of products and shut down all outlets nationwide, which would exacerbate the current fuel scarcity and have severe impacts on the general public.

In response, the NMDPRA has stated that the bridging claims payment is an ongoing process, but IPMAN remains unsatisfied with the pace of progress. The situation remains tense, with IPMAN members prepared to take drastic action if their demands are not met soon.

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