The Depot Chairmen Forum of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has issued a stern warning to shut down operations nationwide over the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority’s (NMDPRA) failure to pay N100 billion in outstanding debts.
In a statement signed by the forum’s chairman, Alhaji Yahaya Alhassan, the group expressed deep frustration over NMDPRA’s alleged disregard for the agreement reached last year to settle the bridging and National Transport Allowance (NTA) claims owed to its members.
“We are extremely frustrated that one year after our last demand, the NMDPRA has deliberately ignored our request, despite clear promises to pay,” Alhassan stated.
He revealed that the NMDPRA had pledged during a stakeholders’ meeting — attended by the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, and the DG of DSS, Mr. Adeola Ajayi — to clear the debt within 40 days. However, months have passed without any payment, leading to the grounding of nine northern depots in Jos, Gusau, Minna, Suleja, Kaduna, Kano, Gombe, Yola, and Maiduguri.
Alhassan further emphasized the devastating impact on IPMAN members, citing business closures, staff retrenchments, bank foreclosures, and even the deaths of some members due to the financial strain.
“These funds are rightfully ours, deducted at the point of payment for products to settle bridging allowances. The continued delay is crippling our businesses and livelihoods,” he lamented.
IPMAN’s warning signals a potential fuel supply crisis if the NMDPRA fails to act swiftly and settle the debts.
Comments