The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, has disclosed its plans to shut down the distribution channels of petroleum and allied products in South-south and Southeast Nigeria.
The Chairman of the association in Cross River, Mr. Robert Obi gave the hint during a meeting with some journalists in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, south-south Nigeria.
Obi stated that the petroleum distribution channels in Calabar and Port Harcourt, Rivers State as well as distribution channels in Enugu State would be affected due to the alleged harassment of its members by policemen.
According to him, “the decision to close all filling stations and depots was reached after we held a series of meetings with some stakeholders over the move by the Nigeria Police Legal Force headquarters to arrest our executives across the zone and foist a factional leadership.”
Caution
The IPMAN chapter chairperson further explained that the eastern zone of the association, which has about 2,000 members, who own more than 40 depots combined and over 1,000 filling stations in Abia, Benue, Cross River, Enugu, and Rivers States was prepared for any further perceived harassment close down operations.
Speaking further, Obi said that the association decided to forewarn Nigerians and other residents within its operational areas of the impending action, which may inflict some level of hardship if enforced.
“Since the Supreme Court ruling in 2018 and its interpretations at the Federal High Court Calabar in 2019, IPMAN has had this running battle with the police due to constant interference and harassment of our leadership.
“The recent development in this matter where the Police Legal Force headquarters would send its own letter of interpretation to the Inspector General of Police on a matter that was laid to rest is an invitation to anarchy.
“We were also reliably informed that the police is putting all arsenals to arrest the current executives of IPMAN in Nigeria, especially at the Calabar NNPC depot. If that happens, we will also swing into action in protest against this undue harassment and interference in our affairs.
“The concern is that the people will suffer. Already, Nigerians are passing through a lot, but we will not keep quiet under constant police harassment and interference in our matter. However, IPMAN’s leadership will abide by existent laws and subsisting judgments,” he stressed.
A few months ago, filling stations in Calabar were shut down over a couple of days, a situation, which cause hardship to commuters and motorists as well as small and micro businesses that depend on AGO, PMS and DPK daily.
Olusola Akintonde
