Petroleum Marketers to Shut Down Operations In Anambra

The Anambra State Chapter of the Independent Petroleum Marketers of Nigeria (IPMAN) on Sunday said it would shut down operations in the state if the State Governor, Willie Obiano, does not offset the N13.6 million owed to one of its members.

According to the union, the N13.6 million was the cost of petroleum products supplied to the state-owned Transport Company by Siluch Oil and Gas Limited since 2017.

IPMAN on August issued a 21-day ultimatum to the state government to pay the debt on or before August 25, 2020 or face a complete shut down of operations in the state.

Speaking to journalists in Awka on Sunday, Chinedu Anayaso, the Enugu IPMAN Deport Chairman, said the shutdown would be total until its conditions were met.

He said, “We are counting days. We have not seen anything that shows that the state government is treating our letter to them with the seriousness it deserves.

“We expect that they pay the young man his money, withdraw all cases against our members for refusing to pay the levies we did not agree on, and revert to the annual unified levy we reached an agreement on.”

“Our showdown will be total because IPMAN, NUPENG and Petrol Tanker Drivers are together in the plan. Any of us who will violate the decision will be fined N500, 000.

“Within the period of the shutdown, no product destined for Anambra will be loaded. Other states like Enugu and Ebonyi under the zone will be affected.”

Reacting to the development, Afam Mbanefo, the state commissioner for transport, said he was briefed on the debt and he was working on the debt.

He said, “I have looked at the transactions of this office since I assumed office and this debt amounting to N13.57m was presented and IPMAN leadership had visited me on the matter.”