The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) says it will take decisions that will cripple the availability of petrol because of the non-payment of over N200 billion bridging claims.
The event comes amid a scarcity of petrol, which has led to an increase in transport prices.
Bridging claims entails the price of transporting gas from depots to accepted zones to make sure a uniform pump worth throughout the country.
In a communique released after a press conference on Tuesday, Oliver Okolo, the affiliation’s unit chairman and spokesperson, Aba Depot, stated the debt is being owed by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NMDPRA).
Okolo stated NMDPRA did not pay the N200 billion debt, accruing since September 2022 — regardless of a directive for fee from Heineken Lokpobiri, the minister of petroleum assets (oil).
“We’re poised to take far-reaching selections which will cripple the availability and gross sales of petroleum merchandise throughout Nigeria, if our calls for are usually not met inside the shortest interval,” he stated.
He stated the NMDPRA’s delay in offsetting the debt has led to the “deaths of a lot of our members and the unfortunate collapse of their businesses”.
“As businessmen and girls, our members acquired bank loans to maintain their fuel retail outlets running each day throughout the nooks and crannies of Nigeria, to serve the teeming inhabitants of Nigerians,” he stated.
“Nonetheless, it’s demoralising to know that a lot of our members have gone bankrupt and have turn out to be financially bancrupt on account of their incapability to fulfill their monetary obligations to their banks, arising wholly from their incapability to get their monies from the NMDPRA.
“Consequently, additionally, the banks have taken over the enterprise premises of a lot of our members.
“As indigenous organisations, and Depot Chairmen, we’re sad that somewhat than obtain help from the government to spice up our businesses, we’re being discouraged, by the pinnacle of NMDPRA.
“It’s noteworthy to recall and state right 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 all the debt in 40 days.”
Nonetheless, after the 40-day deadline, Okolo stated a paltry sum of N13 billion has been paid.
The NMDPRA and IPMAN have a history of disputes over bridging claims, with the latter typically threatening to withdraw services
