Inter and intra-city transport fares have surged by over 200 percent in Akwa Ibom State due to the closure of petrol stations and other outlets by the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN).
Investigations by LEADERSHIP on Tuesday revealed that IPMAN had raised fuel prices to between N2,000 and N2,500 per litre.
In a statement, IPMAN Chairman, Coordinating Committee and Secretary in the state, Comrade Francis Udoyen, and Prince Ekom Idemudo, explained the reasons behind the action, which took effect on Tuesday. They stated that the union called on their members to protest in solidarity, demanding the release of PMS-laden trucks seized four months ago by the Joint Task Force (JTF).
The directive for members to cease operations was outlined in a statement titled ‘Notice of Withdrawal of Services Over Confiscation of PMS – Loaded Trucks by JTF Personnel.’
It reads, “As part of our obligation to support each other in all circumstances, and following the resolution taken at the last emergency congress regarding members’ trucks held by JTF operatives for four months now, you are hereby directed to close your filling stations to the public with effect from Tuesday, September 24, 2024.
“This action has the approval of our national office, and non-compliance will result in appropriate consequences.”
Responding to the development, Chairman of the Natural Oil and Gas Association of Nigeria (NOGASA) in the state, Comrade Sam Osung, described IPMAN’s action as criminal and blamed the government for failing to take decisive action against alleged perpetrators of criminal activities in the sector.
Osung recalled that over four months ago, Operation Delta Safe (ODS), led by the 2 Brigade, arrested two trucks of PMS and seized 44 drums of petrol from six filling stations in Ibaka, located in the Mbo local government area. He explained that the filling stations were accused of involvement in petroleum product smuggling.
“The officials of IPMAN held a press conference demanding the immediate release of the trucks. Subsequently, they shut down their filling stations and staged a protest in Oron LGA,” Osung said.
He further noted that the ODS, led by the Army, advised the owners to go to court if they believed they were innocent. “Smuggling is an act of economic sabotage, and an innocent marketer should have gone to court to prove their innocence,” Osung added.
He accused the marketers of attempting to pressure the Army into releasing their trucks without proving their innocence, highlighting that they had hired Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTDs) to prevent petroleum products from entering Akwa Ibom since the previous Monday.
“The army was informed and they plan to rescue the impounded trucks and escort them back to the owners, while also requesting the documents authorizing them to stop tankers from entering any state,” Osung stated.
He criticized the government for its inaction and called for decisive intervention. “The government should act as a government and address this issue,” he stressed.
Osung, who previously served as an aide to Governor Umo Eno, recalled past challenges, saying, “They accused me of being the problem because I know their operations, their contacts, and their rights according to their constitution. They conspired, and the governor fired me. That didn’t solve the problem. I wish the government had addressed the matter based on the rights and privileges of everyone involved; instead, they made me the scapegoat.”
Source: Petrol Price Hits N2,500 As IPMAN Shuts Filling Stations Over Seized Trucks (leadership.ng)
