Transport Unions Defend Ogun Task Force Amid IPMAN Opposition
Transport unions in Ogun State have expressed their support for the state government’s Special Task Force on filling stations, criticizing the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) for opposing the initiative.
National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) chairman, Mustapha Adewale, condemned IPMAN’s threats to halt fuel supply in the state, urging the association to address allegations of malpractice by its members instead.
“The extortion of citizens by some filling stations is alarming,” Adewale said in a statement on Sunday. “Motorists often pay for 10 litres of fuel but receive only seven litres. This not only affects private car owners but also drives up transport fares for commercial users, burdening the public.”
He praised Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration for introducing the task force, calling it a “sensitive and responsive” measure to curb fraudulent practices and protect citizens.
Supporting this view, the Secretary of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Tiwalade Akingbade, suggested that IPMAN’s resistance indicated potential complicity. “Why resist oversight unless there’s something to hide? The government simply wants to ensure fairness and transparency,” Akingbade remarked.
The unions commended the task force as a proactive move to safeguard citizens from exploitation and ensure they get value for their money. Efforts to get IPMAN’s response were unsuccessful at the time of this report.
This development highlights growing tensions between IPMAN and state authorities, with transport unions rallying behind measures aimed at protecting the public and ensuring accountability in fuel distribution.
