Nationwide Fuel Scarcity Looms as IPMAN Issues Ultimatum Over Unpaid N100bn Bridging Claims

Nationwide Fuel Scarcity Looms as IPMAN Issues Ultimatum Over Unpaid N100bn Bridging Claims

By Fly Cable News

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, threatening to halt fuel distribution nationwide over an outstanding N100 billion bridging claim.

During a press briefing in Abuja, the Chairman of the IPMAN Depot Chairmen Forum, Yahaya Alhasan, accused the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) of failing to settle the debt, despite a 40-day payment promise made in the presence of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.

Alhasan warned that nine northern depots, including those in Jos, Gusau, Minna, Suleja, Kaduna, Kano, Gombe, Yola, and Maiduguri, have already shut down operations due to the unresolved debt.

IPMAN also criticized the NMDPRA for imposing a 5% levy on the sale of petrol stations and other “unconstitutional” charges, which it described as detrimental to the sector.

To enforce their demands, the association announced plans to collaborate with the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) and the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) to suspend fuel transportation if payments are not made by the deadline.

Calling on President Bola Tinubu to intervene, IPMAN urged its members to remain law-abiding while awaiting the government’s response.