Financial Energy Review
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to settle outstanding bridging claims amounting to N100 billion or face a nationwide strike.
Bridging claims cover the cost of transporting fuel to designated zones to ensure uniform pricing across the country. According to IPMAN, the NMDPRA had promised to clear the debt 40 days ago in the presence of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, but has failed to do so.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, IPMAN Depot Chairmen Forum Chairman, Yahaya Alhasan, expressed frustration over the prolonged delay in payments.
“If NMDPRA doesn’t pay our money within seven days, we are going to withdraw our services across the nation,” Alhasan warned. “We are extremely frustrated that one year after our last demand, the management of the NMDPRA has deliberately ignored our request, even after making clear promises to pay us.”
The association noted that similar claims were part of the demands made by the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) before they suspended their strike last year.
IPMAN officials also revealed that key depots in Northern states, including Jos, Gusau, Minna, Suleja, Kaduna, Kano, Gombe, Yola, and Maiduguri, have become non-operational due to the unpaid debts.
Meanwhile, efforts to reach NMDPRA spokesperson, George Ene-Ita, for comments were unsuccessful.
The marketers also condemned the five per cent levy imposed by NMDPRA on petrol station sales, calling it unconstitutional and detrimental to business growth.
They warned that failure to pay the debts would lead to fuel shortages across the country, affecting millions of Nigerians.
