The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria has threatened to shut down operations across nine northern depots unless the Nigerian Midstream Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority pays over one hundred billion naira in outstanding bridging claims within seven days. Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Gombe Depot Chairman Alhaji Abdul Ibrahim stated that the regulatory authority has ignored repeated demands and failed to honor its promise to settle the funds, which are meant to cover transportation allowances deducted from petroleum marketers. Ibrahim explained that the prolonged debt has led to business closures, staff layoffs, bank seizures of properties, and member deaths, while also criticizing the regulatory body for imposing unconstitutional and burdensome levies on petrol outlet renovations. He urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the dispute, warning that the association plans to collaborate with the Petroleum Tankers Drivers and the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners to withdraw their fuel tankers if the payments are not made.
Index to Nigerian Newspapers
