By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu, Warri
DELTA: The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Nigerian Midstream Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), demanding the payment of N100 billion in outstanding bridging claims. The association warned that failure to settle the debt would result in a nationwide shutdown of fuel distribution.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, the Gombe Depot Chairman of IPMAN, Alhaji Abdul Ibrahim, expressed frustration over the prolonged delay despite repeated appeals.
“One year after our last demand for payment, the NMDPRA has ignored us. They assured us that the debt would be cleared within 40 days, but months have passed with no action,” Ibrahim stated.
He lamented that the non-payment has crippled operations at major depots across the North, including those in Jos, Gusau, Suleja, Kaduna, Kano, Gombe, Yola, and Maiduguri.
“This debt belongs to marketers. It was deducted at the point of product payment for our bridging allowances. Many of our members have shut down, lost their businesses, and some have even died due to financial strain,” he added.
Ibrahim further alleged that NMDPRA has imposed excessive levies on petroleum marketers, making operations even more challenging.
“In addition to withholding our funds, they have subjected us to multiple levies whenever we attempt to renovate our fuel stations. These charges are anti-developmental and unconstitutional,” he said.
IPMAN vowed to collaborate with the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) and the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) for a collective action if the debt remains unpaid.
“As key players in the industry, we may be forced to withdraw our tankers from lifting petroleum products. This will have serious implications for fuel supply nationwide,” Ibrahim warned.
The association called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and resolve the lingering dispute to prevent an imminent fuel crisis.