IPMAN threatens nationwide shutdown over unpaid N100bn debt

The Depot Chairmen Forum of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has threatened to halt operations nationwide due to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority’s (NMDPRA) failure to pay a N100 billion debt owed to its members.

In a statement signed by the Chairman of the IPMAN Depot Chairmen Forum, Alhaji Yahaya Alhassan, the group accused NMDPRA of reneging on an agreement reached last year regarding the payment of outstanding bridging and NTA claims.

“We are extremely frustrated that one year after our last demand, requesting the payment of over N100 billion owed to our members, NMDPRA has deliberately ignored our request, despite making clear promises to pay us,” Alhassan stated.

He revealed that NMDPRA had assured stakeholders, including the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Adeola Ajayi, that the debt would be cleared within 40 days. However, months have passed without any payment.

As a result of the unpaid debt, nine depots in the North—Jos, Gusau, Minna, Suleja, Kaduna, Kano, Gombe, Yola, and Maiduguri—have been completely shut down.

Alhassan emphasized that the funds in question were deducted from petroleum marketers at the point of payment to settle bridging allowances. The non-payment has led to severe consequences, including business closures, staff layoffs, and even the deaths of some affected members.

Additionally, he accused NMDPRA of imposing multiple irregular levies, including a 5% commission on petrol station sales, which he described as an exploitative practice.

“If necessary, we will withdraw our tankers from loading petroleum products to enforce our demands,” he warned, stating that IPMAN is working closely with the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) and the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) to take collective action.

IPMAN has called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene urgently.

“We urge the Federal Government to fully resolve this issue. If our demands are not met immediately, we will not hesitate to take necessary actions starting from Monday, February 24, 2025.”

A shutdown by IPMAN could severely disrupt fuel distribution across Nigeria, leading to potential fuel scarcity and economic strain.