A nationwide scarcity of premium motor spirit (petrol) is imminent in Nigeria as the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to withdraw services across the country.
This ultimatum is due to the non-payment of bridging claims amounting to ₦100 billion.
The Chairman of the IPMAN Depot Chairmen Forum, Yahaya Alhasan, disclosed this during a press conference in Abuja on Monday.
He stated that the Nigerian government, through the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), has failed to clear its ₦100 billion bridging debt owed to petrol marketers, despite promising to do so 40 days ago in the presence of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
Alhasan revealed that Northern depots, including those in Jos, Gusau, Minna, Suleja, Kaduna, Kano, Gombe, Yola, and Maiduguri, have become completely grounded due to this lingering debt. He also criticized the 5 percent levy imposed on IPMAN members by NMDPRA.
“If NMDPRA doesn’t pay our money within seven days, we are going to withdraw our services across the nation,” Alhasan warned.
He expressed frustration that one year after their last demand for payment, the NMDPRA has deliberately ignored their request, leading to the closure of businesses and the retrenchment of staff.
The potential halt in operations by IPMAN, which controls over 70% of filling stations nationwide, may worsen petrol scarcity and queues across the country.
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