The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) says it will take decisions that will cripple the supply of petrol due to the non-payment of over N200 billion bridging claims.

The development comes amid a scarcity of petrol, which has led to an increase in transport costs.

Bridging claims entails the cost of transporting fuel from depots to approved zones to ensure a uniform pump price across the country.

In a communique released after a press conference on Tuesday, Oliver Okolo, the association’s unit chairman and spokesperson, Aba Depot, said the debt is being owed by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NMDPRA).

Okolo said NMDPRA failed to pay the N200 billion debt, accruing since September 2022 — despite a directive for payment from Heineken Lokpobiri, the minister of petroleum resources (oil).

“We are poised to take far-reaching decisions that may cripple the supply and sales of petroleum products across Nigeria, if our demands are not met within the shortest period,” he said.

He said the NMDPRA’s delay in offsetting the debt has led to the “deaths of many of our members and the unfortunate collapse of their businesses”.

“As businessmen and women, our members acquired bank loans to keep their fuel retail outlets running daily across the nooks and crannies of Nigeria, to serve the teeming population of Nigerians,” he said.

“However, it is demoralising to know that many of our members have gone bankrupt and have become financially insolvent as a result of their inability to meet their financial obligations to their banks, arising wholly from their inability to get their monies from the NMDPRA.

“Consequently, also, the banks have taken over the business premises of many of our members.

“As indigenous organisations, and Depot Chairmen, we are unhappy that rather than receive support from the government to boost our businesses, we are being discouraged, by the head of NMDPRA.

“It is noteworthy to recall and state here that at a stakeholders meeting held on the 20th of February, 2024 with Mr. Heineken Lokpobiri, the Honourable Minister of Petroleum Resources (Oil), and the NSA Nuhu Ribadu, Engr. Farouk Ahmed, the Chief Authority of NMDPRA, was mandated by Mr. Heinehken Lokpobiri to clear the entire debt in 40 days.”

However, after the 40-day deadline, Okolo said a paltry sum of N13 billion has been paid.

The NMDPRA and IPMAN have a history of disputes over bridging claims, with the latter often threatening to withdraw services.

IamOlaoluwa:


May God help us in this country

IamOlaoluwa:


May God help us in this country

Islie:


https://www.thecable.ng/petrol-scarcity-ipman-threatens-to-withdraw-services-over-n200bn-bridging-claims/amp/

helinues:
You people are wicked lots.

Una must always come with silly excuses sha ni

id4sho:
Time to sell Nigeria

gaby:
New day, New gbege for Nigerians to contend with.

The one question I am asking myself now is, how was Bubu the so-called uneducated one able to surmount and avoid all these brouhaha even while open about subsidy payment with pms retailing below #200?

What changed in such a short time since the Chicago-trained Accounting Wiz grabbed power and ran way with it?

At this point, it'd be best for them to get humble, drop their oversized egos, and go consult with Bubu to give them cues on what to do and return the economy to at least Bubu's Era. We go manage am like that.

Wharahell?