The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has given the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) a seven-day ultimatum to settle its outstanding bridging claims amounting to N100 billion.
This ultimatum follows NMDPRA’s failure to fulfill its commitment to pay the debt, despite previous assurances made in the presence of top government officials.
In a communiqué signed by Alhaji Yahaya Alhassan, Chairman of the IPMAN Depot Chairmen Forum, and released to journalists in Abuja on Monday, the association warned of a nationwide service withdrawal, including a halt to fuel loading and distribution, if the payment is not made.
The prolonged debt has already rendered nine northern depots non-operational, worsening fuel scarcity across the country.
Expressing frustration over the delayed payments, IPMAN stated: “One year after our last demand, requesting the payment of over N100 billion owed to our members in bridging and NTA claims, the NMDPRA has deliberately ignored our request, despite making clear promises to pay.”
The association recalled that NMDPRA had pledged to settle the debt within 40 days during a stakeholders’ meeting held before a planned strike by the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO).
“At that meeting, NARTO included IPMAN’s bridging claims in their demands before calling off their strike. The NMDPRA made this promise in the presence of the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, and the Director-General of the DSS, Mr. Adeola Ajayi. However, 40 days have turned into months, with no sign of payment,” the communiqué stated.
As a result, depots in Jos, Gusau, Minna, Suleja, Kaduna, Kano, Gombe, Yola, and Maiduguri have become completely inoperative due to the lingering debt.
IPMAN also accused NMDPRA of imposing excessive levies, including a controversial 5% commission on petrol station sales.
“Tell me, when has the NMDPRA turned itself into a real estate agency, collecting commissions on retail petrol outlet sales?” the communiqué queried.
The association further lamented that many of its members have suffered financial ruin due to the unpaid claims.
“We have recorded deaths of our members, closure of businesses, staff retrenchments, and the takeover of business premises by commercial banks—all because of NMDPRA’s refusal to pay our money,” it stated.
IPMAN also decried additional levies imposed on members for renovating petrol stations, describing them as unconstitutional and anti-developmental.
Declaring its readiness to take drastic action, IPMAN revealed plans to collaborate with the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) and NARTO to enforce the payment.
“As IPMAN members, we own a significant number of petroleum tankers driven by the PTD, and we may be forced to withdraw our tankers from loading petroleum products to compel the payment of our bridging and NTA claims,” the communiqué warned.
IPMAN called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to urgently intervene in the dispute to prevent a nationwide fuel crisis.
“We will not hesitate to take immediate action if our demands are not met, starting from Monday, February 24, 2025,” the association declared.
While urging its members to remain law-abiding, IPMAN insisted that NMDPRA must address the issue promptly to avert further disruption in the downstream petroleum sector.
