Independent Marketers Threaten Shutdown Over Unpaid N15bn Bridging Claims

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The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has called on the Federal Government to pay its members their bridging claims of about N15bn.

They threaten to shut down operations after the Yuletide if their demands were not met.

The Chairman of IPMAN, Enugu Depot Community, comprising Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu states, Mr Chinedu Anyaso, said these in an interview with journalists in Awka on Thursday.

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Anyaso said the non-payment of the bridging claims, which is also known as transportation claim to avoid wide disparity in prices across regions, was weighing heavily on members’ businesses as most of them could no longer repay their bank loans while others had closed shop and sent their workers home.

He said the outstanding claim was for the period between 2021 and May 2023.

He stated, “Our members can no longer remain in business because of these debts as their banks are on them. We are talking of about N15bn. We may have to shut down operations after Christmas and New Year celebrations to press home our demand.”

Anyaso said the association had written to the Federal Government through the through the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority over the matter.

A copy of the letter, made available to journalists, read in part, “We write on behalf of our members operating in Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi states and parts of Kogi, Benue, Imo, Abia and Cross River states to kindly request for payment of our claims.

“Most of our members’ petrol stations are closing up as a result of these outstanding payments.

“As an association, the progress of our members’ businesses is very paramount and we are seriously under pressure to take any action towards recovering these payments.”

Anyaso assured customers in the areas of seamless operation during the Yuletide, adding that there was enough supply of products in the system to meet demands.